Amorim faces no pressure on Rashford selection

Ruben Amorim will face no pressure from Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe when it comes to his handling of Marcus Rashford, the Guardian reports. Rashford has been excluded from United’s last three match-day squads by Amorim.

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Man City eye Ederson replacement Palace extend Mateta contract

This demotion was solely down to Amorim, and with Ratcliffe green-lighting Rashford’s potential sale in the January transfer window, there are no complaints from above about the head coach’s team selections.

The Guardian adds: “The Portuguese again left the forward out of the game-day 20 for the 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. This followed Rashford not being in the squad for the 4-3 Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham on Thursday and the 2-1 victory at Manchester City the previous Sunday.

“Amorim said after dropping the 27-year-old and Alejandro Garnacho for the City game: “It is important the performance in training, the performance in games, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with your teammates, the way you push your teammates.” Since then he described Rashford’s absence as being for “selection” reasons.

“Rashford said in an interview with the journalist Henry Winter two days after the City game that he was “ready for a new challenge”. This was interpreted as the player wanting a move.

“Despite Amorim’s cited reasons for leaving out the England international and informing him he will be reinstated if his training performance improves, it is unclear whether Rashford would be recalled.”

Man City eye Ederson replacement

Manchester City have their eye on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio as a replacement for Ederson, the Daily Mail reports. City are turning to the January transfer window to save their season, and considering their options in a number of positions.

Ederson has missed four of their last five Premier League games, with Stefan Ortega starting, and Pep Guardiola could look for a fresh face to provide some competition.

The Mail adds: “Much of the discussion surrounding City’s recent struggles has focused on the goalkeeping department with both Ederson and Stefan Ortega being trusted in recent defeats.

“One of those losses came in a 2-0 Champions League defeat against Juventus on December 11 and the best goalkeeper on that night was the Italian team’s shot-stopper.

“Di Gregorio was voted the best goalkeeper in Serie A at the end of last season after starring for Monza before choosing to join Juventus where he signed a contract until 2029.”

Palace extend Mateta contract

Crystal Palace have triggered the extension clause in Jean-Philippe Mateta’s contract, the Athletic reports. The striker’s deal is now set to expire in June 2027.

Talks had initially broke down, but his importance to Oliver Glasner’s side has helped him earn a new contract. Mateta has scored seven goals across all competitions so far this season.

The Athletic adds: “The 27-year-old initially joined on loan before a permanent move from Bundesliga side Mainz and has thrived over the past year after some indifferent form beforehand.

“The striker has since become a key part of manager Glasner’s side. He ended last season with a scintillating spell of form which produced 13 goals from 15 games, including at least one in seven consecutive home Premier League games. He scored Palace’s second-ever Premier League hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa on the final day of last season.

“Mateta harbours ambitions to feature regularly for the French national team, having enjoyed recognition for his performances with a call-up to the men’s Olympic squad, where he scored five goals in four games. That included a brace in the semi-final victory over Egypt and a goal in the final where France were defeated after extra time by Spain.”