Manchester United’s squad will be returning to its full compliment over the coming days as players return from international duty to meet their new head coach, Ruben Amorim.
Players who were not called up by their respective nations have already spent a couple of days with the new boss after being afforded some down time the week before.
Marcus Rashford and Casemiro were two of the stars omitted from international duty and decided on a trip to the United States on their respective days off.
As reported by The Mirror, speaking on his Stick to Football Podcast, it was a decision criticised by former United captain Gary Neville, who believes the duo would have been better served staying closer to home.
“They (Casemiro and Marcus Rashford) have chosen that international break. If you’re talking about the minor details in being as professional as you can be and as prepared you can be for a training session on a Monday night, that isn’t the best choice of venue.
This is on Casemiro more than Rashford, but if I’m 30 years old and I’m looking after my body – and he’s won five Champions Leagues and is an unbelievable player – but if he was away with Brazil for 10 days, we would say he would struggle this weekend because he’s been away,” said Neville.
The Sky Sports pundit continued to question the professionalism of both players who have struggled for form over the last 12 months and contributed to United’s poor start to the season.
“The professionalism, looking after your body and making sure you’re best prepared for the next training session is critical to every decision you make during the season.
They went to Portland, and I’m asking the question based on professionalism – you’re playing badly, the team are losing, you’re 13th in the league, and there’s a new manager coming in – would you choose that trip as a break to recharge your batteries? That’s not a recharging trip. It’s not right that,” he said.
Neville stressed he had no issue with the pair taking a break but doubled down on his thoughts that a lengthy flight wouldn’t have been his choice at this stage of the season.
“I’m not that wound up about Rashford and Casemiro going over to the United States.
“He (both) has got a mental break, he’s got to get away and has got to rest with friends – then you talk about the choice of venue, but what I’m asking is, if you’ve got a four-day break, Portland is a 12-hour flight and an eight-hour time difference, your jet-lag is bad, and you feel a bit (rough),” he added.
Roy Keane was part of the conversation and claims this type of trip is “the norm” for players these days and feels the pair would have seen the trip as “no big deal.”
Despite their long haul exploits, the pair reported for training on Monday and both released social media messages praising the early sessions laid out by Amorim.
Given their time with the new head coach, it’s expected both players will feature in Amorim’s first game in charge as United travel to newly promoted Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
