MARCUS RASHFORD and Alejandro Garnacho were DROPPED from Manchester United's derby day squad travelling to City.
The forwards were not named in United's starting 11 or subs bench before the Sunday evening trip to City.
Leading the line for United wasMason Mount, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund with Antony and Joshua Zirkzee benched.
And explaining his decision, United boss Ruben Amorim said: “We try to evaluate everything training performance, game performances, engagement with team-mates, push their team-mates up.
"Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple.
“I don’t want to send a message it is simply an evaluation and they know it. The players are really, really smart.
READ MORE IN football
"Everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It is simple selection.
“Of course the context is difficult because we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now.
"I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide."
Amorim explained that Rashford and Garnacho were made aware of the decision on the club Whatsapp chat.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
He said: “It is the same all the time and they all understand.
"There is a communication after the last training it's going to the Whatsapp and then they receive the information.
"But they are alright. They had training this morning and I was there."
United legend and former captain Roy Keane took aim at Rashford's "attitude" and suggested the player should LEAVE his boyhood club.
He said: "Quality is not enough. Quality in terms of picking moments in a game and recently [he's] not been that great.
"It might be an end but let’s not be writing him off he’s just been left out the squad. It doesn’t look good for him.
"I feel a move for Marcus is definitely going to suit the player, a new challenge.
I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.
Ruben Amorim
"Whatever your talent at a big club, if your attitude is not quite right, and his certainly hasn’t been recently, I think it’s probably good to part ways."
Rashford started against Plzen mid-week in the Europa League with Hojlund's double leading to a 2-1 win.
But the England international has been on the bench for United's last two Premier League games.
On his last Prem start, Rashford scored twice as his side beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford.
But this will be the first time the attacker has been omitted from the matchday squad altogether.
He has seven goals in 24 appearances this season while Garnacho has eight in 24.
Former United keeper Peter Schmeichel told beIN Sports:"I think it's an indication of the performances that they've delivered.
"I think where he's been very, very clever is he's come out and said, 'I'm going to give everyone a lot of time, I want to see them in games and I'm going to access them then.'
"I'm sure he's not happy with what he's seen. I'm a little bit surprised with Garnacho because he's a young player but with Rashford it's not been good.
Man Utd player ratings vs Man City as sensational Amad Diallo turns derby on its head
AMAD DIALLO left Manchester City stunned as he turned the derby on its head.
The flying winger won a penalty, converted by Bruno Fernandes, in the dying embers to level it up.
But the best was yet to come as Amad flicked past an onrushing Ederson before expertly slotting in a dramatic winner from a tight angle deep into injury time.
Here’s how SunSport's Neil Custis rated the Man Utd players...
Andre Onana - 6
He just does not fill you with confidence. Does not command his area and as we found out midweek in Plzen, his distribution from the back is a major plus for the opposition.
Wasn’t tested that much however.
Lisandro Martinez - 7
Looking a calmer presence under Amorim than he did before when he seemed to want to live up to his nickname from his Ajax days of ‘The Butcher of Amsterdam’.
Great through ball at the end to pick out Amad’s run for the winner.
Harry Maguire - 8
Had a great battle with Erling Haaland which the United man won.
The right call to bring the former captain in for such a big game. Looks like he suits the position in the centre of that back three.
Matthijs de Ligt 78' - 7
A decent enough performance. Looked more comfortable alongside Maguire than other centre-back partners.
Diogo Dalot - 5
Mistimed his jump to be beaten to the ball by Josko Gvardiol for the City opener. Did not create enough going forward from his wing-back role.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Missed a big chance after being put through by Hojlund and clipping the ball wide.
But when the moment comes from the penalty spot he is a cool head in the hottest of atmospheres sending Ederson the wrong way to equalise
Manuel Ugarte - 7
Sat in front of the back four and negated much of what Phil Foden was trying to do for the home side.
Noussair Mazraoui 78' - 8
The best of the summer buys. Used as the right wing back on this occasion and is able to adjust to whatever is asked of him. One of United’s bets performers on the day.
Mason Mount 13' - 6
Looked very close to tears when he had to come off after early in the game. He is just getting no luck whatsoever with injuries and has not had a decent run since joining the club.
Amad Diallo 90' – 9
The greatest moment of his career so far with a memorable derby winner. A brilliant run first of all to meet Martinez pass, he then clipped the ball past Edersonn and while it was a scuffed finish he got it on target.
Had almost grabbed an equaliser with a flick header before that which was well saved by Ederson.
Then was alert to Nunes back pass to win the penalty that did lead to United drawing level.
Rasmus Hojlund 78' - 6
Most we saw of him was a head to head confrontation with Walker when the City player slumped to the ground and a little fall of his own when he tried to win a pen.
But then he provided a great through ball for Fernandes which should have brought the equaliser.
Subs
Kobbie Mainoo 13' - 6
Did a solid job as he came on ina deeper role than Mount and Fernandes moved forward
Joshua Zrikzee 78' - 6
Not the man who is going to come on and change a game, but he did well to hold onto possession in the closing seconds.
Antony 78' - 6
Came on to try and make a difference but is lacking the confidence which a lack of starts brings.
Leny Yoro 78' - 6
Continues to ease himself back to full fitness after that summer injury.
Victor Lindelof 90' - 6
No time to have any influence on the game.
"It's not been good and he's started him in games, taken him off, his body language has not been great so I'm surprised of course that they are completely out of the squad but I'm not surprised they're not in the team, to be honest."
Josko Gvardiol had opened the scoring on 36 minutes - but United sensationally turned the game around.
Amad Diallo won a penalty on 88 minutes - converted by Bruno Fernandes - before the forward scored the winner just moments later.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
And Rashford posted a message of support to Diallo and his team-mates from his home in Manchester.
He posted: "Yesssssssss! Love it lads."