Gary Neville says he "got it wrong" by criticising Marcus Rashford and Casemiro for travelling to the United States during the international break.
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Rashford & Casemiro not called up for international dutyMan Utd duo flew to the USA during the breakNeville withdrew criticism during chat with AmorimFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Both players, who were not called up by their respective national teams, took the opportunity for a getaway and flew across the Atlantic, which sparked backlash, including sharp remarks from Neville. While Rashford spent his break in New York City, where he was spotted at Madison Square Garden watching an NBA showdown between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, Casemiro opted for a family vacation in Orlando, Florida enjoying Disney World and catching a basketball game at the Kia Center.
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Despite their downtime being personal decisions, the players faced criticism for their choices, especially from Neville, who questioned their professionalism and commitment to their recovery, especially as the Red Devils find themselves languishing at the 13th spot in the Premier League standings.
Speaking on the podcast, Neville said: "He has got a mental break, he’s got to get away and has got to rest with friends – then you talk about the choice of venue, how far do you fly, what’s the time difference, is that going to give a jet lag issue, is that going to give a stiffness issue from being on a flight for 12 hours?"
He added: "They have chosen that international break. If you are talking about the minor details in being as professional as you can be and as prepared you can be for a training session on a Monday night, that isn’t the best choice of venue."
WHAT NEVILLE SAID
However, in a recent interview with Manchester United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, for , Neville softened his stance and acknowledged some inaccuracies in his earlier comments.
Neville said: "I made a comment this week about Casemiro and Marcus Rashford travelling to America in their few days off. It was just me thinking as a Manchester United player when I played here. You've got a few days off, the club are 13th in the league, the manager has just been sacked, it's a challenging part of the season and the new manager is about to come in.
"And that focus and preparation and every single little detail is really important, and I said I don't think I'd have chosen that trip to go to America with the time difference. I did get it wrong – they went to New York rather than Portland so I apologise for that. But there's still a 5-6 hour time difference, they're on planes, Casemiro's 30 years of age."
HOW DID AMORIM RESPOND?
Amorim made it clear that he would not have sanctioned them to fly under his watch. However, he emphasized that the club, not the players, should set the standards and manage such decisions.
"I think the main question here is that us, as a club, have to set the standards and have to manage that," he said.
"It is my decision if they can have five days [off], three days or three days to rest, you cannot fly. This is something that us, as a club, have to decide. For me? Yes for sure [he would have banned them]. We cannot put this on the players. They [United] told them they can have five days off so they can fly anywhere because nobody at the club says you cannot fly."
