Ian Wright ‘surprised’ Man Utd duo didn’t start Premier League clash vs Arsenal

Ian Wright ‘surprised’ Man Utd duo didn’t start Premier League clash vs Arsenal

When Ruben Amorim left Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo out of his starting lineup for Wednesday’s match against Arsenal, Ian Wright was “surprised.”

Rashford and Diallo were benched for Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League match at the Emirates. Before the match in north London, both players were playing well.

Diallo had three assists in Amorim’s first two top division games as manager, against Ipswich Town and Everton.

Prior to the match against Arsenal, Rashford, who scored in the draw against Ipswich and then came up with two goals in the 4-0 triumph over Everton, stated that he felt “energised” and “ready” to face the Gunners.

‘With the way Amad Diallo has played, I’m surprised he (Ruben Amorim) didn’t leave him in [the XI],’ Wright said on The Overlap watchalong.

‘With Rashford as well, he normally does pretty well against us. I was very surprised he’s not starting [either]. Just with his pace.’

Tyrell Malacia was named in the United XI – his first top-flight appearance in 556 days – and first league outing since May 2023 against Fulham.

‘It’s a big ask for him to play against Bukayo Saka,’ United legend and football pundit Gary Neville said about Malacia’s inclusion.

Roy Keane, meanwhile, added: ‘Big gamble. But do you know what, the manager is getting a good look at him. Sometimes you just throw them in.
‘It’s not ideal (his lack of fitness) but the manager has come in and said the best way to take a look at these lads are in these important, big games. He’s brought Mount in [too].’

Clinton Morrison, watching the match for Sky Sports, slammed Amorim’s lineup and accused him of managing the club like it was a video game.

‘He must think he’s playing a computer game,’ Morrison said when he saw the United XI. ‘It’s ridiculous. It’s like every player is on trial at the moment.

‘Rashford scored two goals, everyone’s talking about his form. Go and play him against Arsenal. You’re not going to have the ball a lot, you’re going to play on the counter-attack and he’s got the pace to cause problems.

‘I’m not going to criticise him as a manger but, for me, the team he is playing tonight is a defensive team. He is saying he’s worried about Arsenal, and he should be, but how are they going to get up the pitch? I would put Rashford in the team.’