Ruben Amorim is barely two months into his Manchester United tenure, yet the slick Portuguese coach rather humorously admitted that ten years have already been taken off his life.
The ambitious Amorim ditched the stable serenity of Lisbon in favour of Mancunian tumult, but the 40-year-old must’ve been well aware of what he was getting himself into.
His reign has been laden with nadirs and some promise, but a fair assessment of Amorim’s work shouldn’t arrive until he’s been able to build this United squad in his image.
Curiously, the Red Devils are yet to bolster their ranks in the January transfer window.
They are, however, expected to be one of the busier clubs in the market as the deadline approaches.
Here are four things United must fix in the remaining days of the winter window.
1. Oversee Marcus Rashford’s departure
Rashford hasn’t featured for United since he played a forgettable hour in a 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen on 12 December.
Amorim left him out of the matchday squad for the Manchester Derby three days later, and the Englishman hasn’t been seen since.
The manager has hinted at attitude and work ethic as the major factors in his decision to cast the game-breaking Rashford aside.
Amorim’s stance has seen clubs from overseas perk up and register an interest in acquiring the 27-year-old, but the player’s reported sky-high salary means only a loan departure is feasible this month.
His continued absence is proving to be an unwanted distraction/talking point in the club’s dressing room and overseeing his exit before the deadline must be a priority for INEOS. It won’t be straightforward, though.
2. Keep hold of Alejandro Garnacho
INEOS are keen on banking some ‘pure profit’ this month and are willing to let academy graduate Garnacho go given the financial perks.
United want somewhere around £50m for the spritely Argentine, with Napoli and Chelsea the two most interested clubs.
While Napoli require a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia replacement, the Blues have an insatiable appetite for dropping such sums on wide players.
Garnacho is not yet a superstar, and we perhaps haven’t seen the young winger improve from his breakout campaign.
However, United would be making a mistake by letting him go in the final days of the window.
He’s not an obvious fit in Amorim’s system, but the manager has discussed the player’s tactical improvement and noted the player’s talent.
With Rashford no longer in the picture, United would be bereft of outlets and willing runners in behind if they opted to get rid of Garnacho,
The 20-year-old still has value, but if the club feels the same way in six months time, they’d surely still be able to recoup a similar fee to what they’re demanding now all while having more time to adequately replace him.
3. Pick your wing-back fighter
Wing-backs play an imperative role in Amorim’s system, and the manager has so far been hamstrung out wide.
He’s typically been forced to use the reliable but conservative Noussair Mazraoui down one flank and Diogo Dalot on the other.
Mazraoui has been one of the club’s standout performers this term and Dalot certainly has his moments, but both players are a far cry from what Amorim wants in a wing-back. If only he had 2021 Luke Shaw at his disposal.
United require inspiration in wide areas; wing-backs capable of shuttling up and down while providing a distinct and varied threat in the final third.
Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu has been identified as the club’s priority target, with United hopeful that their third bid will do the trick.
The young Dane is raw with plenty to learn, but there’s scope for Dorgu to purr under Amorim further down the line.
If Lecce continue to dig their heels in, a reunion with Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras (formerly known as Alvaro Fernandez) looks like the next best option.
4. Test the striker market
Joshua Zirkzee can do some lovely things with a football, but he’s never going to develop into a ruthless number nine.
He’s more likely to thrive behind in striker in Amorim’s system. Rasmus Hojlund, meanwhile, has not made the leap in his sophomore year.
Given his willingness to run the channels and sturdy frame (probably the fact that he hails from Scandinavia, too), optimists projected Hojlund to develop into a Viktor Gyokeres-like forward under Amorim.
Unfortunately, though, the Danish forward has struggled since the former Sporting CP boss’ arrival and it looks like the Red Devils will be on the hunt for a striker in 2025.
They’re one of several clubs who are needy at the position, and acquiring a desired target in the final days of the winter window may prove impossible.
However, it seems that Jhon Duran is on the market, while Evan Ferguson could be an astute short-term option.
Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko are more likely to move in the summer. Oh, and don’t forget about Gyokeres himself.
What we know
- Man Utd expected to be busy during remaining days of January transfer window
- Futures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho must be resolved
- Club targeting reinforcements at wing-back.