Why Man United are right in choosing to not use Marcos Rojo in their first-team
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have no plans to bring Marcos Rojo back into the team any time soon.
Rojo, 30, came through the youth ranks of Estudiantes in his homeland and had enjoyed brief spells in Russia and Portugal. However, he caught the attention of several clubs in the 2014 World Cup tournament, where he helped Argentina reach the finals, which they eventually went on to lose to Germany.
United signed him that summer for £16m on the back of a successful world cup campaign. He immediately became a regular member of the squad and did well in his debut season. However, after six long years, the Argentine has become an outcast at Old Trafford. He hasn’t been the same since his move to England and has failed to live up to the expectations.
Rojo seems surplus to the requirements of Manchester United
At the moment, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are in a sensational run of form. They were unbeaten in their last 19 games across all competitions until they lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final last evening. They scored 50 goals in that run and conceded just 8 times, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process. They have been brilliant and look like a force to reckon with.
While United’s attacking unit, consisting of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes, has been in scintillating form in the second half of the season, their defence has also stepped up to the occasion.
Led by Harry Maguire, United have done a decent job so far and have kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League. The skipper has been sensational and has also demonstrated his fitness, featuring in every minute of the league so far.
And Victor Lindelof has partnered him in the best possible way so far. Apart from the two main defenders, Eric Bailly has shown great character since his return from injury. And United also have youngster Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones, both of whom are capable of doing a decent job.
Whenever Solskjaer has deployed a three-man central defence, Luke Shaw, who is a left-back by trade, has also performed well as one of the three centre-backs. And thus, keeping Rojo would make no sense for the club. The manager has also promoted youngster Di’Shon Bernard and Teden Mengi from the reserve team and the Red Devils have adequate numbers in central defence.
Thus, not choosing to integrate Rojo into the team is the right decision by the club. The Argentine hasn’t overcome his fitness issues in the last few years. He has featured in just 122 games for United in 6 years and has also failed to utilize his loan spell in the right way, featuring in just one game for his former club since January.
Read more
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Verdict
With plenty of options at the back for United, Rojo wouldn’t be able to make it to Solskjaer’s starting XI on a regular basis. He has struggled for game time and failed to seize the opportunities he received at Old Trafford earlier. Thus, keeping him out of the squad seems to be the right choice by the club. They should now look to offload the former Sporting Lisbon man.
