'I'll lose myself' - Ruben Amorim explains reasons for Marcus Rashford exile as he urges out of favour Man Utd star to 'be strong' and help Red Devils amid ongoing crisis

Rashford was first left out of the matchday squad by Amorim for the derby against Manchester City alongside Alejandro Garnacho and the homegrown forward was also discarded for United's Carabao Cup defeat Tottenham and Sunday's 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth, while the Argentina international returned to the fold. Tension between Rashford and the club increased following the player's interview with the journalist Henry Winter, in which he acknowledged he was "ready for a new challenge". Amorim later criticised Rashford's decision to speak to the media.

Amorim has now challenged Rashford to take more "responsibility" in order to get back into the team, stressing the need for everyone to be pulling in the same direction amid an ongoing crisis. "I'm so clear on my message. Everyone at Carrington knows what I'm talking about and what I want from Marcus and for everyone else so it's not a distraction for us, maybe it is for the media and people but that's not my concern," the Portuguese boss told a press conference. "I want Rashford to be like any other player, the best that they can be. If you have big talent, big performance, big responsibility, big engagement. Push everybody forward. In this moment some guys have a big responsibility here because they are here for a long time. This is one of the lowest moments of our club we have to face it and be strong in this moment, that's what I want from every player in the team."

Amorim described Rashford's recent exile from the squad as "a normal situation" and said he speaks with the forward "every day, but not about the interview, about his performance". The coach also confirmed that Rashford wants to play again for United but reiterated that the 27-year-old will only return to the squad when he feels it's in the team's best interests. He explained: "When I feel it's the right moment I'll change something. Until then I'll continue to think what's the best thing for the team. He wants to play, it's only my decision. I'm doing things my way. It's the only way I know, if I don't do that I'll lose myself and I can't do it."

United will spend Christmas Day at the bottom of the league table for the first time since 1989 after losing three of their six Premier League games under Amorim. The coach said the team cannot accept the lowly position they have fallen into, as he added: "We know we cannot let this become normal. I understand it's a tough moment and it's on me. We cannot think about that, we just have to think about improving, to understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past, but see what we can do so it doesn't happen again."

The Red Devils head to struggling Wolves on Boxing Day and Amorim will come up against fellow Portuguese Vitor Pereira, who earned a 3-0 win at Leicester City in his first game in charge. Amorim said of Pereira's credentials: "He coached in Portugal, he won two titles and he did a great job in Porto. He'll prepare the game, he'll understand our moment. He's also in a difficult moment but he knows big clubs so he understands that this moment is really difficult for us. He'll try to take advantage but we'll be prepared for the game."