“The time has come to send a clear message— I have to bench them both and let them know standards must be met,” – Ruben Amorim is reportedly ready to sideline Marcus Rashford and Casemiro as the Manchester United boss adopts a no-nonsense approach. The decision could mark a significant shift in the team’s dynamics as Amorim pushes for a higher level of performance across the squad.

Ruben Amorim has quickly begun asserting his authority over the Manchester United squad, vowing to put an end to the practice of players using international breaks as opportunities for extended holidays.

This decision comes in the wake of recent public attention on Marcus Rashford and Casemiro, who used their time off for leisure trips—Rashford attended an NBA game in New York, while Casemiro spent time with his family at Disney World and watched basketball in Florida.

While Amorim refrained from directly blaming Rashford and Casemiro, he made it clear that such activities will not be allowed moving forward. Addressing the issue, he stated: “Would I set a different structure? Yes, for sure. But we cannot put this on the players. They were told they had five days off, so they could fly anywhere. Nobody in the club said they couldn’t, so this time we can’t blame Rash or Case.”

Club legend Gary Neville, however, criticized the duo’s decision to travel, particularly given their underwhelming performances and the turmoil surrounding the team. Neville questioned whether such trips were wise during a difficult period for the club. He explained: “I’m not that wound up about Rashford and Casemiro going to the U.S., but if you’ve got a four-day break, flying 12 hours to Portland with an eight-hour time difference isn’t ideal for recovery. You’re playing poorly, the team is struggling, and there’s a new manager. Is that really the best choice for a recharge?”

Amorim outlined his intentions to implement stricter guidelines moving forward. He said: “As a club, we have to set standards and manage these situations. It’s my decision whether they get five days, three days, or even three days of rest with restrictions on flying. These are policies we must establish as a club, and I will take responsibility in this area.”