New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly identified his top transfer priority after taking charge of his first training session at Carrington.
Amorim has officially taken charge of the team following Erik ten Hag’s sacking and is set to get his first taste of English football on Sunday when United travel to Portman Road to meet Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal as he becomes the latest man to try and get the 20-time English champions back to their former glory.
On Monday, United confirmed that Amorim led his first training session. A number of first-team stars participated including Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Antony and Marcus Rashford.
Much of the talk since Amorim’s appointment has revolved around the tactics he’s likely to deploy at Old Trafford and from a training video the club posted, it seemed like United were set up in a 3-4-3.
Evans was flanked by Yoro to his right and Shaw to his left. Antony was the right-wing-back, with Malacia on the opposite flank. Casemiro and Mainoo occupied the deeper midfield positions. Mount, Rashford and Amad appeared to be in the forward roles.
UtdDistrict reports that Amorim wants the midfield department to be strengthened in the summer.
“Amorim recently took charge of his first training session at the club and has spent the past week assessing his new surroundings and getting to know the players in his new squad.”
“UtdDistrict understands that, following his initial evaluation of his United first-team squad, Amorim feels he needs new midfielders as a priority in the summer.”
“Although Amorim will not have access to funds or significant transfers in January, sources explain that Amorim believes he needs a new defensive midfielder and another body who can operate in one of the two No. 10 positions in his 3-4-3 formation.”
UtdDistrict add that while United currently have plenty of midfielders in their ranks, a number of them such as Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are likely to leave.
It’s believed that Amorim will be forced to operate with a restricted budget over the course of the next few transfer windows, after Ten Hag’s tenure, in which the Dutchman spent in excess of £600 million on recruitment.
This has left the Red Devils in a precarious position with regard to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. This situation may therefore hinder Amorim in his bid to bring in new midfielders that he feels suit his system.
Ipswich Town vs. United kicks off at 16:30 BST.
Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
