Had similar problem with other cars when the catalytic converter core inside the metal shell loosens up and starts rattling around. Try hitting it with a rubber mallet and listening for the rattle.
When leaving it in gear while decelerating cars often have slight backfire through exhaust.
Pushing in clutch will prevent the backfires so the core will not rattle around.
My understanding is this car is not supposed to have play between the clutch fork, bearing and pressure plate fingers. Has something to do with the cable linkage design. Mine is set this way. I can see how this accelerates bearing wear.
Every other car I had was not a cable and it was supposed to have play.