United legends divided on players’ choices as new manager Amorim begins his tenure.
Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Casemiro have come under scrutiny from former club captain Gary Neville for their decision to travel to the United States during the international break. Neville expressed concerns about the timing of their trips, given United’s poor form and the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.
The Trips That Sparked Debate
During the break, Rashford was seen courtside at an NBA game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden.
Meanwhile, Casemiro shared photos of his family enjoying Disney World on Instagram.
Both players’ trips involved long flights, with reports suggesting they may have also stopped in Portland, where Neville’s brother Phil is a coach.
On his Stick to Football podcast, Neville acknowledged the players’ right to downtime but questioned the wisdom of their choices.
“If you’ve got a four-day break, flying 12 hours with an eight-hour time difference isn’t exactly recharging your batteries,” Neville remarked. “You’re playing badly, the team is losing, and you’re 13th in the league. With a new manager coming in, is that the trip you’d choose?”
A Call for Greater Professionalism
Neville emphasized the importance of professionalism, especially in difficult times. He highlighted the need for players to prioritize their fitness and preparation.
“This is more on Casemiro than Rashford,” Neville added. “If you’re 30 years old and have won five Champions Leagues, you know how critical it is to look after your body. Every decision you make during the season affects your performance. A trip like this isn’t the best choice if you’re trying to be at your peak for training or matches.”
A Divided Opinion
Not everyone shared Neville’s view. Podcast co-host and former Arsenal legend Ian Wright defended the players, arguing that they are entitled to their time off.
“If it’s my time off, then yes, I’d do it,” Wright said. “Three or four days away won’t cause major problems with jet lag if managed properly.”
Past Controversies and Future Challenges
This isn’t the first time Rashford has faced criticism for off-field decisions. In January, he was disciplined by former manager Erik ten Hag after reportedly partying in Belfast and calling in sick the next day. The striker’s form has dipped significantly over the past two seasons, and he has not featured for England since being left out of Gareth Southgate’s European Championship squad.
With Ruben Amorim set to oversee his first game as United manager against Ipswich Town on Sunday, the spotlight is firmly on the players to adapt to the Portuguese coach’s system. As Amorim works to rebuild confidence and cohesion, the debate over Rashford and Casemiro’s decisions underscores the broader scrutiny facing the team during this transitional period.
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