Ruben Amorim explains why Man Utd are better off without Marcus Rashford & Antony | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insisted that the decision to let Marcus Rashford and Antony leave the club on loan was worth the short-term pain for the long-term gain.

The two forwards, who are both on course to return to Old Trafford when their deals with Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively expire at the end of the season, have impressed away from Manchester. Antony has been directly involved in nine goals while leading Betis into La Liga's Champions League qualification spots and the Conference League semi-finals.

Rashford has averaged a goal or assist every 94 minutes for Villa this year, delivering a brilliant individual display against Manchester City in midweek which captured the renewed verve and vigour he has enjoyed away from his boyhood club.

United have desperately struggled for any sustained attacking threat in the duo's absence. As Amorim admitted this week: "We lack a lot of things in the team. We saw with Milan in the past, a lot of problems - big teams that when you get inside [the club and understand], in one context, it's really hard. And in January we lost Rashford and Antony and we didn't bring new ones - [it] was a risk."

However, the Portuguese boss defended the club's transfer activity. "There are things here that are more important than scoring ten more goals this season. We are trying to do something that is more important. We can hurt the squad now but in the future it will help the club."

Amorim revealed that is was "my idea" to let Rashford and Antony leave, but insisted that the club's hierarchy offered him their full support. "That is clear," he said. "I try to help the team and sometimes help the players that needed something different - that's all."

The 40-year-old coach has previously explained that he "couldn't get Marcus [Rashford] to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it".

Amorim: 'No regrets' about joining Man Utd mid-season

Ruben Amorim has endured a decidedly underwhelming run of results as Man Utd boss / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

United's transfer policy wasn't the only aspect of Amorim's tenure he defended before his side's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

The former Sporting CP manager had asked to remain with the Lisbon outfit until the end of the season before ultimately accepting United's ultimatum of joining now or never. "If you ask me four months ago, with all the problems, maybe I have the feeling I should be stronger in saying I will start at the beginning of the season," Amorim admitted.

"But today, I am feeling it is something that is going to help us in the future.

"We are suffering a lot here. There is a lot of frustration but I feel, in this moment, maybe because we are near the end, this is the most important time, maybe, in the next few years.

"We are going to use all the information to prepare better the next few years, so [I have] no regrets."