Ruben Amorim's silence on transfer hopes reveals rift

Ruben Amorim’s Evasive Response and Implications for Manchester United

During a recent press conference, Ruben Amorim, the manager of Manchester United, faced a pointed question that seemed to challenge his previous statements about the club's tactical approach. His refusal to address the issue directly raised questions about potential dissatisfaction with the club's transfer strategy.

The question came from a journalist who asked: “You said you’re starting to understand that to play 3-4-3, you [need] a lot of top players and that’s not possible. Can I ask why you never realized that when you first came into the club?” Amorim responded by stating he didn’t want to discuss the matter, focusing instead on the upcoming match against Leeds United.

This response was notable because it contrasted with Amorim’s usual openness. The journalist then pressed further, asking if Amorim regretted his earlier comments. Amorim reiterated that he did not want to talk about it, suggesting an underlying tension or concern.

Amorim’s original statement, made on Christmas Eve, had been controversial. He mentioned that playing a perfect 3-4-3 formation would require significant financial investment and time, which he felt was unattainable. This comment sparked debate about the club’s long-term strategy and whether it aligns with the expectations of fans and stakeholders.

In contrast to his cheerful demeanor during his first press briefing after a shocking Carabao Cup loss in August, Amorim appeared more subdued during this meeting. Some speculated that this change in tone might be related to concerns over the club's transfer budget for the current window.

Transfer Window and Tactical Adjustments

The discussion around the transfer window brought up specific cases, such as Antoine Semenyo, who was pursued by Manchester United but ultimately chose to join Manchester City. Fans wondered if the £65m allocated for the Bournemouth winger could have been used to target other players, such as Rúben Neves from Al-Hilal or Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid, to strengthen the midfield.

Amorim’s previous comments hinted at a lack of immediate changes to the squad. “The transfer window is not going to change,” he stated. “We have no conversation at this moment to have any change in the squad. There’s a process, there’s an idea that is going to continue.”

Despite this, the manager remained open and engaging when addressing other topics. With eight key players sidelined due to injuries and Africa Cup of Nations call-ups, Amorim was questioned about the lack of substitutes for the match against Leeds.

“Lost Amad [Diallo], Bryan [Mbeumo] [both to Afcon], especially with Bruno [Fernandes injured]. If you lose the three of them at the same time, any team in the world will struggle,” he explained. He emphasized that the loss of these players significantly impacted the team’s performance, particularly in creating chances and maintaining game quality.

Substitution Strategy and Team Dynamics

Amorim also addressed the team’s substitution policy, explaining why he often makes like-for-like substitutions rather than more attacking ones. “The first thing you spoke about is that we are creating and scoring more than most of the teams. That is a point,” he said. “Then I understand the team better than anyone. And sometimes you have supporters [scrutinising] your decisions. Sometimes you have to do what you think. And sometimes it’s hard for them to understand.”

He added that his decisions are based on understanding the physical and mental state of his players. “I know when I look at the pitch, I can understand which player is tired. Which player is to struggle a lot if there is a one-against-one all the time. And I try to protect the team and win games. And sometimes it’s the best substitution. Sometimes it’s the wrong substitution.”

Amorim acknowledged that while the team creates a lot of chances and has more shots than most, there is still room for improvement in defensive organization. “We create a lot. We have more shots than anyone. So if we have something completely different here from last year it is the way we attack. I think we need to improve the way we defend.”