Ruben Amorim has lost the ‘trust’ and ‘respect’ of a Manchester United star and may struggle to get him back onside this season.

United fell to their fifth defeat in their last six Premier League games as Newcastle tore them apart in the opening half hour of their 2-0 victory over the Red Devils on Monday.

Amorim opted to start Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield in a baffling move deserving of criticism, with Kobbie Mainoo’s introduction after 33 minutes evening things up against Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.

Zirkzee was the man hauled off in favour of Mainoo and was jeered by the shameful so-called fans at Old Trafford.

Explaining his decision to replace Zirzkee before half-time, Amorim said: “You have to think about the team and also sometimes about the player because the player is suffering.

“I was there a few years ago and I know that he wants it because I saw it during the week. That is the more important thing and he’s suffering during the game.

“I felt the team was suffering and needed another midfielder to have more and then we started to have more ball with Kobbie Mainoo.

“But it was really, really tough on me to do that and I talked with Josh about that because it’s important to express the message.

“But I’m always thinking about the team and, in that moment, it was important for the team [for] Josh [to] go out.”

Gary Neville said he “felt sorry” for Zirkzee, who’s scored four goals in 26 appearances for the Red following a £35.6m move from Atalanta last summer.

“I actually feel sorry for him, I really do,” the ex-England defender said.

“I know he’s earning a lot of money here, but there is a human being in there that’s basically been cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal.

“I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years I’ve been coming here, if at all, actually.”

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Former West Ham captain Nigel Roe-Coker believes Amorim will have to go some to rebuild his relationship with Zirkzee, who “will never trust him again”.

“It’s a tough experience for a player and a tough pill that Ruben Amorim will have to swallow,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“As a player, when you go through a moment like that, you need to think about the human element.

“He will look at Ruben Amorim and never trust him again. He will be able to look at him and say ‘good morning boss’ but he will not have any respect for him deep down.

“It’s an admission from Amorim that he got the team wrong.

“He’s going to have to try to fix the relationship because he will probably have to go back to him at some point and get him back on side and wanting to play and compete.”

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has reportedly ‘officially rejected’ summer signing Joshua Zirkzee, who has struggled since joining the Red Devils.

Zirkzee was Man Utd’s first summer signing as they activated his release clause, beating AC Milan in the race to sign for the forward from Bologna for around £34m.

The Netherlands scored on his Premier League debut as Man Utd beat Fulham 1-0, but he’s not kicked on following this perfect start.

The 23-year-old only has four goals in his 27 appearances in all competitions and he’s rightly been heavily criticised for his poor performances.

Zirkzee’s season hit a new low on Monday night as he was hooked after just 33 minutes as Man Utd were deservedly beaten 2-0 against Newcastle United. This result leaves Amorim’s side only seven points clear of the relegation zone.

READ: Amorim must stop copying ‘shamelessly negligent’ relegated manager and be more like O’Neill

Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a speedy exit from Man Utd and a report in Italy claims Amorim has ‘officially rejected’ the forward. It’s also noted that he’s targeting Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, who was the 2024 top scorer in Europe.

‘Manchester United are no longer banking on Zirkzee who will soon end up on the market, coach Amorim has officially rejected him and Juventus could try to take him on loan, for United, the priority is Gyokeres of Sporting who Amorim knows very well.’

A report from The Daily Mail claims Zirkzee is ‘wanted’ by two Serie A clubs as Juventus and Napoli are monitoring his situation.

However, it is indicated that he intends to ‘fight for his future’ at Man Utd.

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The report reveals:

‘Zirkzee’s stock remains high in Italy, with Juventus and Napoli revisiting their interest in the striker amid hope from the Serie A sides that there may be an opportunity to sign the forward due to uncertainty over his position in Ruben Amorim’s plans.

‘Both clubs were keen on Zirkzee, who has scored four goals this season, in the summer but were beaten to his signing by United.

‘And Mail Sport has learned that both clubs are manoeuvring themselves into a position to strike for Zirkzee should it emerge he can leave.

‘Zirkzee is believed to be aware of the interest but is fully focused on his season with United and has no desire to leave as he concentrates on playing a role in moving the team up the table.’

After Amorim’s early substitution of Zirkzee, the head coach admitted the attacker is “suffering”.

“Josh is a really good lad. We will support him and keep going. It was really tough for me to do that, but I’ve spoken to Josh as it was important to express the message. We needed Josh to go out, for the team,” Amorim said.

“The player is suffering and I was there myself a few years ago. I felt he and the team were suffering during the game and we needed another midfielder. It was tough on me to do that and I’ve talked with Josh about that because it’s important to relay the message.”

According to reports, Newcastle United are among the four clubs interested in signing wantaway Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

The England international could leave Man Utd this month as he’s announced that he is “ready” for a new challenge.

Last month, Rashford said: “If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person.

“When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.

“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”

On his day, Rashford is capable of being one of the best forwards in the world, but he’s been slammed for his poor performances and attitude over the past 18 months as he’s failed to live up to expectations at Man Utd.

This and his huge salary means Man Utd may struggle to offload Rashford, but he is linked with several European sides.

READ: Amorim tactical rigidity not the problem – Manchester United players ‘are knowingly failing to perform’

While a move abroad is most likely (probably the best thing) for Rashford, a report in Spain claims Newcastle are ‘keeping an eye’ on his situation.

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to have ‘shown interest’, but Rashford has ‘offered himself’ to La Liga giants FC Barcelona.

It’s already been reported that Barcelona are his ‘preferred’ next club, but the report – for some reason – says it’s a ‘big surprise’ they are his ‘priority destination’.

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Rashford is said to ‘dream of playing’ for Barcelona as he ‘feels he’d be the perfect fit’. Despite this, there are a couple of issues to overcome if he’s to join Hansi Flick’s side.

‘Although Rashford is a player of proven quality and with the potential to offer offensive solutions, the sporting management, headed by Deco, has other priorities in mind.

‘The economic problems that the club is going through force them to fine-tune each operation, and the arrival of the English attacker does not fit entirely into the current plans, especially considering the high salary he receives at Manchester United.

‘On the other hand, Rashford ‘s entourage claims that the player would be willing to make a financial effort to facilitate his arrival at Barça. This would include a possible salary reduction and accepting a contract adapted to the limitations of the club.

‘Despite this, Barcelona’s priorities for January are to reinforce other more urgent positions, such as right-back and midfield, areas in which Flick has pointed out deficiencies since he arrived at the bench.’

Ruben Amorim has reportedly written off one Manchester United star as he has made a ‘key’ transfer decision ahead of a major rebuild at Old Trafford.

Since replacing Erik ten Hag at Man Utd, head coach Amorim has been given a rude awakening as his job is bigger than he perhaps initially thought.

Under Amorim, the Red Devils have lost six of their last eleven games in all competitions as they have drifted into the Premier League relegation picture. 

Man Utd’s recent poor performances make it clear that a huge overhaul is required at Old Trafford, which is expected to begin during the winter transfer window.

The goalkeeping department has become a problem position for Man Utd as Andre Onana has produced a couple of dire performances, while No.2 Altay Bayindir was heavily criticised after struggling in the Carabao Cup defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

READ: Amorim tactical rigidity not the problem – Manchester United players ‘are knowingly failing to perform’

Last month, a report claimed United are ‘set to sack their chief goalkeeping scout Tony Coton’ as Amorim has been ‘unimpressed’ by Onana and Bayindir.

‘Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Ruben Amorim has not been impressed by either number one Andre Onana or his deputy Altar Bayindir since he took charge of the team.

‘The new United boss has made that clear to the club’s hierarchy and they’re now set to take action on the situation by sacking Coton.’

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A new report from Manchester Evening News claims Amorim is ‘targeting a transfer in a key position’ as he ‘wants a new goalkeeper to compete with Onana this year.’

‘Amorim is intent on recruiting a ‘keeper who will push Onana for the number one place, with Altay Bayindir not regarded as credible competition.

‘Bayindir, 26, would have to leave this month if United were to sign an immediate replacement. Third-choice ‘keeper Tom Heaton, who turns 39 in April, is out of contract in the summer and Amorim believes he will have the leverage to strengthen the United goalkeeping department in the summer.’

Club legend Gary Neville has admitted he’s fearing Man Utd’s game against Liverpool on Sunday as they are in a “desperate” situation.

“You’re wondering what Ruben Amorim can do? He can point to the Manchester City performance, but I genuinely don’t know. Some players may come back. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford haven’t been showing the application in training but they are better than the players out on the pitch currently.

“They’ve got legs and if Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are lining up against Zirkzee or Bruno [Fernandes] in wide areas, they would probably prefer that to Garnacho and Rashford.

“That will be difficult for Amorim as he wants to set a new culture and standard in the dressing room of what’s right. He’s not liked some of the things he’s seen in the past month or so but right now, it’s needs-must and it’s desperate.”

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has responded to a report claiming he’s ‘stepped up his bid to quit’ the Premier League giants.

Last month, Rashford announced he intends to leave Man Utd this year as he is “ready” for a new challenge away from his boyhood club.

The England international shone during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 30 goals for Man Utd in all competitions, but his form has dramatically declined over the past 18 months.

The 27-year-old has been slammed for his poor performances and application under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

It was hoped that Amorim’s arrival would give Rashford a boost, but he’s gone backwards and was omitted from Man Utd’s squad to face Manchester City on December 15.

After not making United’s squad for four consecutive matches, Rashford was back on the bench on Monday night against Newcastle United as he was an unused substitute in the 2-0 home defeat.

READ: Amorim tactical rigidity not the problem – Manchester United players ‘are knowingly failing to perform’

On Wednesday morning, a report from The Sun claimed Rashford has ‘stepped up his bid to quit’ Man Utd as he ‘is in talks with leading sports agency Stellar in the hope of landing a move this month’.

‘Rashford, 27, is in talks with leading sports agency Stellar in the hope of landing a move this month.

‘He is currently represented by brother Dwaine Maynard – but the £325,000-a-week star is now keen to get more people working on his exit.

‘And Stellar famously paved the way for Gareth Bale’s huge £86m move to Real Madrid in 2013.’

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Rashford has since moved to refute this story in a post to his Instagram story.

He said: “Been a lot of false stories written in the past few weeks, but guys this is getting ridiculous – never met with any agency and don’t have any plans to…”

After his side’s loss to Newcastle, Amorim insisted he was not making a point by keeping Rashford on the bench.

“I think about the team. You think a lot about Marcus. I think about the team. When I’m there I’m not making a point. I just want to win the game,” he said.

“And you can feel it – I’m talking about the idea and the fight for relegation. Do I want to make a point during a game? No, I just want to win the game.”

Explaining Rashford’s return, he explained: “We have lots of players outside and so he’s in. Like I said, every week I choose my players. He was there to be chosen and this time he is here.”