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Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have been left out of Manchester United’s squad for Sunday’s derby game against Manchester City.

Both players have featured in all 15 of United’s Premier League games so far this season, with Rashford starting 12 and Garnacho starting 10 of them.

Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Amad were instead preferred by head coach Ruben Amorim in the striker positions.

Joshua Zirkzee, who started in the Europa League against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday, is on the bench for the game at the Etihad Stadium.

Amorim says both players were informed via WhatsApp before the game and that both “trained well” on Sunday morning, as is normal for players who do not take part in match days.

“Selection,” said the Portuguese head coach when asked by Sky Sports to explain the pair’s absence. “We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with teammates, encouragement of teammates. When we analyze the players and try to select them, everything is at stake, so this is my selection. Simply.

“I don’t want to send a message. It’s simply a review, and they know it. The players are really, really smart. Everyone understands my decision. I have to decide. It’s just a simple selection.

“The context is difficult. We have to win games and we have a difficult situation. I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you dress to play. Everything. I make my assessment and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose from.”

Rashford and Garnacho were both left out by Amorim (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Amorim urged Rashford to keep producing after he scored twice against Everton earlier this month, saying: “He can play so much better, just like the other boys.”

“(Amorim) is definitely demanding, but encourages you to bring your strengths to the game. Then you produce a really good team performance,” replied Rashford.

“Hopefully we can build on that and move forward. We have to push every day to meet his demands.”

Rashford was left out of the starting lineup for a game at Wolves in November 2022 by then manager Erik ten Hag for “internal disciplinary” reasons.

It was later discovered that he overslept and was late for a meeting, which was considered a violation of team rules.

Ten Hag introduced Rashford at half-time as the game remained goalless before the striker scored the decisive goal of the game in a 1-0 win.

Rashford has played 24 times for United in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists.

Garnacho also appeared 24 times, scoring eight goals and assisting four goals for his teammates.

United head to the home of their rivals in 13th place in the Premier League table, eight points behind Pep Guardiola’s side in fifth place.

(Top photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)