Sir Jim Ratcliffe, now overseeing football operations at Manchester United, is standing firm in his decision to let new manager Ruben Amorim take full control of team matters. This includes the controversial omission of Marcus Rashford, who was left out of the squad yet again during United’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Rashford, a prominent figure at Old Trafford, has now been benched for the third consecutive match, a run that began with his exclusion from the Manchester derby—a game United won. Amorim has publicly pointed to concerns over Rashford’s training performances and his interactions with teammates as reasons for his decisions. Despite the high-profile nature of Rashford’s absence, Ratcliffe has remained resolute in his support of Amorim’s autonomy, refraining from any interference in squad selection.

The January transfer window, set to open in less than two weeks, could potentially mark a turning point for Rashford. The striker recently made headlines by expressing his openness to a “new challenge,” further fueling speculation about his future. United have reportedly set an asking price of around £40 million for the forward, but his status as one of the club’s top earners might complicate any potential transfer.

According to sources from The Telegraph, Ratcliffe and the INEOS leadership at Old Trafford have no plans to step into the fray regarding Rashford’s exile, leaving Amorim free to manage the situation as he sees fit. The manager’s approach has sparked significant debate, particularly as United’s league performance continues to falter. The team now finds itself in the bottom half of the Premier League table heading into Christmas.

When questioned about Rashford’s continued absence following the Bournemouth defeat, Amorim reiterated his position: “It’s my decision and it always will be. Selection is about finding the best solutions for the team. I’m trying different strategies with different players, and that’s my focus.”

Looking ahead to the hectic festive period, United’s next challenge comes on Boxing Day with a trip to Wolves. While squad rotation is expected due to the demanding schedule, Amorim offered no guarantees about Rashford’s return. “It depends. We will see,” he remarked when pressed about the forward’s potential involvement.

Meanwhile, former United defender Gary Neville weighed in on the situation, expressing concern about the implications for both Rashford and the club. “Rashford’s absence isn’t really a surprise anymore,” Neville said. “When a player is left out for three matches in a row, something is clearly wrong. It’s hard to see a positive outcome here for either Rashford or Manchester United. This feels like the beginning of an inevitable parting of ways.”

As the transfer window looms and United’s struggles persist, all eyes remain on Amorim and Ratcliffe to navigate this challenging period. Whether Rashford stays or goes, the decisions made in the coming weeks are set to have a lasting impact on the club’s future.

Gabriel Jesus emerged as the standout performer for Arsenal on Wednesday night, securing a sensational hat-trick in their Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Crystal Palace. His remarkable display followed a crucial piece of advice to Martin Odegaard, which proved instrumental in turning the game around.

The Brazilian forward had endured a challenging season so far, failing to find the back of the net in Premier League action. However, he was included in the starting lineup for the midweek clash, and his patience finally paid off.

The match initially appeared to be slipping away from Arsenal as they trailed 1-0 at halftime, courtesy of a Jean-Philippe Mateta strike. Determined to change the narrative, manager Mikel Arteta introduced Martin Odegaard after the break, a move that would prove decisive. The Norwegian midfielder provided two vital assists for Jesus, helping Arsenal overturn the deficit and secure a 3-2 victory.

Jesus revealed that he had shared a straightforward but effective message with Odegaard before the second half began. “The first half wasn’t great for us,” Jesus admitted. “But in the second half, we did our job. We created more chances, kept possession better, and circulated the ball efficiently. Martin delivered two fantastic passes, and Bukayo Saka contributed with another assist, allowing me to finish the moves.”

Heaped with praise for his teammates, Jesus highlighted Odegaard’s exceptional ability to create opportunities. “Martin’s quality is incredible. I told him, ‘I know what you can do, so I’ll make the runs. Just play the ball, and I’ll be there.’ He played two amazing passes, and I was able to capitalize. Bukayo also did a great job, and everyone gave their all despite the lineup changes. It’s not easy when you don’t often play together in matches, but we got the job done.”

The night held even more significance for Jesus as he celebrated his first goals since October, just a day after announcing that his partner is expecting their second child. Reflecting on the occasion, he said, “It’s a special moment. There was a lot of pressure to score, but walking onto the pitch with my daughter gave me strength and joy.”

Arteta was equally delighted with Jesus’ return to goal-scoring form. “I’m so pleased for him,” the manager said. “It’s been a tough period without goals, but tonight he delivered three brilliant strikes. His sharpness and involvement in key actions were outstanding. It’s fantastic for him and for the team to have a player of his caliber performing at this level.”

With the victory, Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals alongside Liverpool, Newcastle, and the winner of the Manchester United vs. Tottenham clash. It’s a promising step forward for the Gunners as they aim to lift the trophy this season.