Ruben Amorim predicted a typhoon, but the severity of his pain may have been foreseen.
His predictions were based on a few factors, including the team’s poor physical conditioning, the inability of some to put the collective first, and the truth that a team built for a completely different formula was suffering in performance. adapt to the fundamental principles of your approach.
Amorim also knew that he would not betray his ideals nor would he be able to bank on the January transfer window. United had made it very clear when hiring him that frivolous spending in the market was a thing of the past and operating sustainably was the only option moving forward.
In an ideal world, Marcus Rashford would get the fresh challenge he is seeking and the club would bank circa £60m for him. However, there is no market for the forward at that valuation or even at a discount price given his hefty salary, poor form and reported off-field issues.
A way out, even a transitory one, would require many compromises. This turns out to be in the interest of either party.
The landscape is going to be an unforgiving one for clubs needing to sell: domestic sides are trying to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules and those in Europe cannot afford Premier League-level fees both in wages and transfer cost. It is a constricted market and United have to construct the framework of an entirely new team.
It is an open secret that it takes experienced and full of life to implement the Amorim style. The left-wing appearance has been a fear of precedence for United given the pile of injuries, and Nuno Mendes is one of the names that has been discussed internally.
There is a desperation to inject more speed and risk into the team, with Amorim’s confidants pointing to a lack of technical players, football intelligence and an appetite for covering the pitch as reasons why the Portuguese’s concepts have translated. The midfield is a specific problem.
The focus of adding physicality and what Erik ten Hag had termed “a different dynamic” last summer has been a waste: the team are still being bullied on set-pieces and general duels. Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte, the midfielder having had the advantage of starring under Amorim before, are the only pieces somewhat fitting so far.
United will have to be artistic to break an almighty dilemma. Sky Sports News understands that they are open to those granted to the State and players ready for loans without career in Old Trafford. Let the suitors come to call.
Amorim kept Harry Maguire as an example of a fighter with the right attitude and application for his contract, his terms to expire in the summer with an option for an extra year, it will be interesting.
There have been positive advances in terms of signing Amad Diallo with a prolonged and, less urgent agreement, the objective remains to do the same with Kobbie Mainoo.
That’s thinking about the long term, but the immediate scenario is bleak for United. Amorim has a team that does not adapt to his philosophy and that at this moment does not condemn him, much less condemn him in his own way.
An injection of quality and dynamism proves non-negotiable, no matter how much monetary gymnastics it would take to bring United out of darkness and into the light.
Amad diallo
Manchester United’s breakout star of the season is coming to the end of his contract in the summer but the club have the option to extend his deal by a further year.
The attacking midfielder, 22, has previously said he wants to spend a long time at United.
Harry Maguire
The United has the option of extending its former captain’s contract for one year and the 31 -year -old said that “positive” conversations had been initiated on a new agreement.
Having been stripped of the captaincy by Ten Hag, it would be a remarkable comeback story for the centre-back if an extension is agreed.
Johnny Evans
A short-term deal for the defender to regain his fitness in pre-season has turned into a two-year tenure for the veteran defender in his second spell at Old Trafford.
The 36-year-old, brought back to the club by Erik ten Hag, continues to be used as a squad player by new head coach Ruben Amorim but it is yet to be agreed if that will extend beyond this season.
Christian Eriksen
The midfielder, who turns 33 in February, is one of the few United players whose contract includes a one-year extension option from the club.
The Denmark foreigner said last season that he had not lectured on an extension lately.
Victor Lindelof
United exercised the option in the 30-year-old defender’s contract to keep him until this summer so he is free to leave if he does not feel his future lies at Old Trafford. Injury has restricted him to nine appearances this season.
Tom Heaton
The 38-year-old United third-team goalkeeper signed a one-year deal last summer but has been used throughout the first team since then.
Leny Yoro – Lille, 58. 9 million pounds
Joshua Zirkzee – Bologna, £ 36. 5 m
Matthijs de Ligt – Bayern Munich, £42. 7m
Noussair Mazraoui – Bayern Munich, £17. 1m
Manuel Ugarte – Paris Saint-Germain, £50. 5m
Sekou Kone – Guidars FC, undisclosed
The 2025 winter movement window officially closes on Monday, February 3 at pm UK time in the Premier League.
The window for the top European primary championships, including France (1pm GMT), Germany, Scotland and Spain, also ends on Monday February 3, times vary.
Italian clubs, meanwhile, only have until 7pm on Saturday February 1 to do their business and the transfer window in Turkey closes on Tuesday February 11.
Later, the window closes in Saudi Arabia on January 30.
The January window is open!
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