"When he is playing, Arsenal is a different team" - Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim makes claim about Gunners star
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hailed Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard ahead of their FA Cup third-round clash. The Red Devils will travel to the Emirates to take on the Gunners on Sunday, January 12.
Ahead of the game, Amorim said that the Norwegian makes Mikel Arteta's side tick and is crucial for their system. However, he insisted that the Gunners are a good team irrespective of whether Odegaard plays or not. In his pre-match press conference, the Manchester United manager said (via Manchester Evening News):
"When he is playing, Arsenal is a different team. But they can win and lose with and without [Martin] Odegaard in the team."
Martin Odegaard has been the lynchpin of Mikel Arteta's side since joining them initially on loan from Real Madrid in 2021. He was named the club's captain in 2022 and has made 171 appearances scoring 36 goals and providing 30 assists.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim has taken on Mikel Arteta's side three times so far in his managerial career. He played two times against the Gunners as Sporting CP's manager in a two-legged tie in the Round of 16 of the Europa League in 2022-23. Amorim's side drew 2-2 and 1-1 against Mikel Arteta's side in the two legs respectively. However, Sporting progressed to the quarter-finals with a 5-4 penalty shootout win.
The Portuguese manager has taken on the north London giants once as Manchester United manager. The Gunners won the game 2-0 to hand Amorim his first defeat as a Red Devils' boss.
Arsenal launch a move for Manchester United outcast: Reports
Arsenal are reportedly plotting a move for Marcus Rashford who faces an uncertain future at Manchester United. The England international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
As reported by Massimo Marianella on Sky Italia, the Gunners are exploring the possibility of landing Rashford on a bargain in January. Mikel Arteta's side reportedly value the 27-year-old at €25 million which is unlikely to be enough for the Red Devils. Marianella said:
“It seems that Arsenal have made a phone call to Manchester United for Rashford. The club has valued him at €25 million.”
Rashford is yet to feature for Ruben Amorim's side since being dropped from the matchday squad in the Manchester Derby on December 15. The Englishman has been heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford and has been linked with plenty of sides from across Europe and Saudi Arabia.
