Prior to the match, all eyes were on Marcus Rashford.

By the end of the game, the ecstatic Manchester United supporters had moved on from their former star.

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The team seemed to thrive without him, a fact that new United manager Ruben Amorim emphasized strongly after the match.

Rashford’s talent should be highlighted — he was expected to be the main attraction, the focal point of attention.

However, his waning commitment is rapidly dimming his star, and he must tread carefully if he hopes to retain his spot at United beyond the upcoming New Year.

This exclusion sent a strong message from Amorim, with both Rashford, 27, and 20-year-old Alejandro Garnacho completely left out of the matchday squad.

On the day of the match, they were instructed to train alone with Jonny Evans and Toby Collyer, while the rest of the squad prepared for their journey to the Etihad.

Amorim has expressed his displeasure with their performances in training and matches, among other issues.

Rashford’s decline has been particularly pronounced.

He was once an idol for young fans aspiring to follow in the footsteps of a beloved club figure,

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His inspirational journey from Withington to receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace for his remarkable work supporting underprivileged children should not be overlooked.

On the pitch, just two seasons ago, he achieved the incredible feat of scoring 30 goals in a single campaign.

‘It doesn’t look good’ – Roy Keane cautions Marcus Rashford about potential transfer exit from Man Utd after being BENCHED for City clash

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Not long ago, everything seemed to be aligning for him… but things have evidently unraveled swiftly.

The temptations of fame, riches, and Premier League life captivated him, and he indulged these distractions immensely.

Once a reserved young man who kept a low profile with his childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, he has begun to embrace a more lavish lifestyle.

Regrettably, his relationship with Loi has also deteriorated because of this.

Amorim could have easily cited rotation, fatigue, or tactical changes as reasons for their omission, but he chose to spotlight their underwhelming performances instead.

Rashford’s form took a significant downturn last season, plummeting from an impressive 30 goals in the previous season to a mere eight.

He not only lost his starting spot at United but was also excluded from the England squad for the summer Euros in Germany.

Former United manager Erik ten Hag had defended him, issuing numerous warnings about his conduct on and off the field.

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Initially, there was the occasion when Rashford was seen celebrating in the city after United’s 3-0 derby defeat to Guardiola’s side last October.

Ten Hag deemed that conduct “unacceptable.”

His PR representative asserted it was merely a family celebration for his birthday; however, that was quite far from the truth.

Then, on January 26, he was spotted partying late in Belfast, just before he was meant to attend training for a Sunday FA Cup match in Newport.

Although he returned via private jet, he claimed he was too ill to attend.

Upon discovering the details, Ten Hag was infuriated.

The manager even contemplated demoting him to the reserves, but he was low on available players at that time.

Following that incident, the two had minimal communication.

Man Utd player ratings vs Man City as sensational Amad Diallo turns derby on its head

AMAD DIALLO stunned Manchester City with an impressive comeback.

The dynamic winger earned a penalty, converted by Bruno Fernandes, in the final moments to equalize.

However, the highlight was later as Amad skillfully maneuvered past Ederson to net a late winner from a challenging angle during stoppage time.

Here’s how SunSport’s Neil Custis rated the Man Utd players…

Andre Onana – 6

He lacks a commanding presence, and, as demonstrated midweek in Plzen, his distribution continues to be a significant weakness for the competition.

Nonetheless, he faced little challenge during this match.

Lisandro Martinez – 7

Exhibited much greater poise under Amorim compared to when he appeared anxious to fulfill his nickname ‘The Butcher of Amsterdam’.

Provided a crucial through ball for Amad’s winning goal.

Harry Maguire – 8

Stood firm in a tough duel with Erling Haaland, coming out on top.

His inclusion as former captain in such an essential match was a wise choice, proving he excels in a central defensive role.

Matthijs de Ligt 78′ – 7

Gave a solid performance, looking more comfortable alongside Maguire than with his other defensive partners.

Diogo Dalot – 5

Failed to challenge Gvardiol adequately, contributing to City’s opening goal. Provided little in terms of attacking threat from his wing-back position.

Bruno Fernandes – 8

Missed a crucial opportunity set up by Hojlund, shooting wide.

Yet, under pressure at the penalty spot, he displayed composure, slotting home to equalize.

Manuel Ugarte – 7

Effectively anchored in front of the backline, minimizing Phil Foden’s impact.

Noussair Mazraoui 78′ – 8

Proved to be an outstanding summer acquisition, transition smoothly to play as a right wing-back, emerging as one of United’s top performers of the match.

Mason Mount 13′ – 6

Clearly disappointed to leave early due to injury. His luck with injuries since joining has not improved.

Amad Diallo 90′ – 9

Reached a career milestone with an exhilarating derby-winning goal. His impressive movement allowed him to take advantage of Martinez’s pass, skillfully evading Ederson, and though his shot was slightly mis-hit, it found the back of the net.

Earlier, he nearly tallied another goal with a header that Ederson saved.

Additionally, he demonstrated great awareness in winning the penalty that led to their equalizer.

Rasmus Hojlund 78′ – 6

Notably, he engaged in a physical encounter with Walker and fell while appealing for a penalty.

However, he did set up Fernandes with an excellent pass that should have leveled the match.

Subs

Kobbie Mainoo 13′ – 6

Performed consistently, transitioning into a deeper role after Mount’s departure while Fernandes advanced.

Joshua Zrikzee 78′ – 6

Didn’t make a noticeable impact but maintained possession adequately as the game drew to a close.

Antony 78′ – 6

Attempted to make an impact upon entering but struggled with confidence after limited starts.

Leny Yoro 78′ – 6

Gradually working his way back to full fitness following an injury suffered this summer.

Victor Lindelof 90′ – 6

Had little time to make an impact on the game.

It takes a lot for Manchester United fans to turn on one of their own — yet this seems to be happening with Rashford.

Supporters have observed his decreased effort, lowered morale, and troubling lack of commitment on the field.

His teammates have noticed as well, leading to confrontations during games.

Amorim’s recent arrival from Sporting Lisbon had stirred up hopes.

So why was Rashford seen courtside at an NBA game in New York, dressed in a Louis Vuitton jacket and flashy grillz the weekend prior to the new manager’s arrival?

This might be what Amorim referenced when he spoke about the importance of a player’s image.

With multiple players withdrawn from the England squad around that period, any player in a replica jersey had a shot at a call-up — yet Rashford was decidedly absent.

This illustrates how far he has fallen in the national team’s hierarchy.

Rashford found the net in the early moments of Amorim’s debut at Ipswich.

He followed that with a brace in a 4-0 victory against Everton.

However, he was sidelined for losses against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

Afterwards, he was substituted just 56 minutes into a Europa League away match against Viktoria Plzen. Amorim has made his assessment.

The Portuguese coach guaranteed that the player would receive one more opportunity — but it will be his final chance.

And someday, Rashford may genuinely regret these decisions . . .