Ruben Amorim says Luke Shaw faces competition for his place this season.
The boss was speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday/Sunday’s pre-season match against West Ham in New Jersey. Matheus Cunha was also present, his comments are covered here, in a separate article.
Forward thinking
Amorim was first asked if he was happy with his new signings, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
“Really pleased,” he answered. “It’s important to sign players as soon as possible. They’ve proved already in the Premier League. Matheus can play in different positions so you can change the starting XI.
“They are really humble, that is really important. They had other options, they read what people say about our club but they chose to be here and this is a key point for me.
The boss was also asked how important it is for players to bond.
“You feel the bond between the players in the best teams, that is really important,” he answered. “We remind ourself how special it is to be at Manchester United, the best club in the world.
“I really like to be in a group that is healthy. We are going to suffer, we have problems, but that feeling of bonding from everybody is really important. It can help us to win games where we didn’t perform so well.”
Luke Shaw’s fitness
He was then asked what the situation is in regard to signing a new striker.
“In the moment we need to be careful when we sign a player. If I start the season with this squad I will be happy.”
The next question was in regard to Luke Shaw’s fitness.
“He is a world class player,” Amorim said. “You can feel in the small things. He’s a great player but he has competition this season.”
Focus then switched to the need for player sales.
Players who aren’t sold will rejoin the team
Asked about players losing value because they want to leave, he explained:
“I think that is not the case, there are different reasons for the players. Some players have to move to make space in the team, others want a new challenge and want a new team. We are giving them time to think and if they reach a point where they have to join the team they will because they are our players.
“Omar and Jason have a number for these players, if that isn’t reached they will be Manchester United players. I understand maybe other clubs are waiting for the last minute but they can have a surprise.
“I am ready to receive the players, they have more competition, if they want to play in the World Cup next year they need to play so I am happy with that. I have more options and if they have to fight each other to play that is perfect.”
This statement was huge, given that Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia were all expected not to play for United again and have not been given squad numbers.
The next question was about whether Bruno Fernandes would play in midfield this season rather than as a 10.
“He can be. We can change in the game but we miss Bruno as a Number 10,” the head coach confirmed.
“Sometimes when he is playing as a No.10 he comes to get the ball and nobody is a No.10. I really like when Bruno has the ball and if you have threats like Rasmus, Matheus, Bryan in the spaces, if you have a player with the quality of Bruno on the ball I think he is really important. He can play in front also.”
Amorim was then asked to confirm that the club had changed transfer strategy in targeting Premier League players.
“We need experience. Matheus is young but with experience. That was a policy we try to use this season so I say yes, it’s not just that, they have characteristics that we need but we buy players who can face this kind of pressure.”
United’s match against West Ham kicks off at midnight Sunday morning, UK time.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
