Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have both been left out of the Manchester United squad for today's massive Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Rashford has struggled for consistency this term, just like last season, and has been tipped to leave the club in the New Year.
Garnacho's omission is more surprising, however, given how the winger has been a key player for Ruben Amorim so far.
Fans on social media have been left stunned by Amorim's decision to leave the pair out of arguably the biggest match of their season.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have been left out of Man Utd's squad for their Premier League clash with Man City
GETTY
Adding to the intrigue is that, according to the Manchester Evening News, both players trained at Carrington earlier today.
Yet it appears United's decision to leave them out is merely tactical, on a day where they can't afford to lose.
Amorim, when asked about the pair, said: “We try to evaluate everything training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, push their team-mates up.
"Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple.
“I don’t want to send a message it is simply an evaluation and they know it.
"The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It is simple selection.
“Of course the context is difficult because we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now.
"I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.
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“There is a communication after the last training. They are alright. They had training this morning and I was there. They trained really well.”
United have gone with Andre Onana in goal for the match, with Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez playing in a back three.
Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot make up their midfield.
And Amad Diallo and Mason Mount will play either side of Rasmus Hojlund up top.
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Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho helped Man Utd beat Man City in last season's FA Cup final
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Roy Keane, meanwhile, feels United can finally kickstart their season if they beat City todau.
"If I was a Man Utd player, for all their problems, you come into it as a derby and it's a chance to kick start the season if possible," he said.
"The manager is just in the door, the results and performances haven't been great.
"But one of the reasons you play for Man Utd is to play in these big games. Everyone is writing you off, but at some point, your pride has to kick in and hopefully they'll show their quality.
Ruben Amorim has opened up on his decision to leave Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of his Man Utd squad for today's match with Man City
PA
"I'm guessing the morale at the club isn't great when the first team aren't winning week in, week out. It does affect things in the background and if they [the Man Utd hierarchy] are making decisions to cut people's bonuses or whatever it might be, it affects everybody.
"I do think the players then have a responsibility to try and lift the club and it's amazing how a few results can do that.
"I'm always scratching my head looking at the league at how bad they are. But you still have to find something, a spark and something in the dressing room.
"Man Utd have to turn up today and show some fight, some spirit, a desire to defend a corner, not give daft free kicks away and players wanting to close people down.
"Time is running out for a lot of these players. We've got to see it today in a derby match."
