Ruben Amorim explains why he dropped Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from Man Utd squad for Man City game

Ruben Amorim has explained why he dropped both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from his Manchester United squad to play Manchester City.

Man United resume their faltering Premier League campaign following their midweek Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen.

The Red Devils enter the Etihad showdown in 13th place in the table, having recorded only 19 points so far this season.

Amorim's side have lost their last two league fixtures, losing to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

And ahead of facing cross-town rivals Man City, the Portuguese gaffer has left out Rashford, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, and Garnacho from his matchday squad.

On Rashford and Garnacho not being in the squad, Amorim told Sky Sports: "We try to evaluate everything training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, push their teammates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple.

“I don’t want to send a message it is simply an evaluation and they know it. The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It is simple selection."

He added: "Of course the context is difficult because we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now. I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.

"There is a communication after the last training. They are alright. They had training this morning and I was there. They trained really well."

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have been left out of the Manchester United squad for today's game against Manchester City. Image: Getty

Rashford started his team's 2-1 victory in Czechia but was hooked just before the hour mark as he had a telling exchange with Amorim following his substitution.

As for Garnacho, he made an appearance off the bench.

Rashford and Garnacho will sit out the Manchester derby.