Ruben Amorim sends Arsenal transfer warning with 'I watch everything' comment

Arsenal could be placed on red-alert in their rumoured pursuit of Manchester United star Marcus Rashford after his shock omission from their squad.

United head coach Ruben Amorim made the bold decision to drop Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho for their Premier League showdown with rivals Manchester City.

The pair have endured a difficult start under the new boss and the Portuguese tactician laid an early marker with the surprise call to omit two key players from the matchday squad.

READ MORE: Marcus Rashford move, Garnacho opportunity - Arsenal January transfer door opened

READ MORE: Arsenal first January transfer 'confirmed' as Mikel Arteta doubles down with Everton issue clear

It comes in the latest blow for Rashford after speculation continues to rise over his future at Old Trafford. During the summer, he was linked with a move to Arsenal with the Gunners attacking options sparse.

Reports emerged that the Red Devils were open to selling Rashford and Mikel Arteta's side were among the possible suitors.

"Selection. We tried to evaluate everything," Amorim explained before their Manchester derby. "Training, performance, game performance. Engagement with the team-mates, push the team-mates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. So, my selection - simple.

"I don't want to send a message, it is simply evaluation and they know it. The players are really, really smart and so everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It's just simple selection.

"Of course the context is difficult, we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now, but like I said, I pay attention to everything. The way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to the game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose and today I made my choice.

"It's the same all the time, they all understand there's a communication that after the last training is going to the WhatsApp and then they receive the information. They are all right, they had training this morning, I was there because it is important for every player - even Jonny Evans because Jonny Evans also and Toby (Collyer) was there - I was there during training and everything was OK. They trained really well."