S Poddar
Ruben Amorim has assured Manchester United fans that the club is “trying everything” to improve the squad before the transfer window closes, though he remains cautious about avoiding “the mistakes of the past.”
Following another disappointing home defeat, the club finds itself struggling for form, especially in front of goal. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford’s recent loan move to Aston Villa has sparked discussions, but Amorim remains unfazed, stating it would not be an issue if the forward starts scoring for his new team.
Rashford, who accepted that he was unlikely to get regular playing time at Old Trafford, has moved to Villa until the end of the season. Despite not featuring for United since December 12, the 27-year-old remains just two goals shy of being the club’s joint-top scorer this season.
United’s woes in front of goal were once again to the fore as they were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace. Their 28 Premier League goals this season are only better than Everton and the bottom three—Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton.
However, Amorim dismissed the idea that Rashford’s possible success at Villa would be embarrassing for United. “Humiliating? It is not embarrassing,” he said. “When you loan a player, you expect him to play and improve so there is nothing humiliating there.”
United’s firepower is lacking in comparison to that of Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, who has scored as many goals on his own as United’s entire Old Trafford squad has this season. Summer signings Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who have a combined cost of over £100m, have failed to consistently deliver. Hojlund has scored seven, while Zirkzee has scored four. Amorim’s policy of excluding both on the starting lineup against Palace in favor of Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine backfired.
“I Want to Improve the Team So Badly”
Transfer Deadline Day Speculation is rife over whether United will sign further players as the transfer deadline approaches, but insiders at the club are downplaying the prospect of further signings. While moves for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel and Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku appear improbable, United have already signed Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu for £25m and taken Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven on loan. It remains unclear how feasible further additions will be, but potential sales may be required to balance the books.
“We are trying everything to improve the team without making the mistakes of the past and also trying to balance the urgency of the moment,” Amorim explained. “We know all of the aspects of our club in the moment but we are trying everything.”.
“This market is really hard on clubs to make some deals. I want to improve the team so badly. I know what the team needs. Sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it’s not. When the window closes we will see the players that we have.”
United badly need a pick-me-up having lost five of their last six matches in the Premier League at home under Amorim. It is astonishing that the Portuguese manager has lost more league games at Old Trafford than Jose Mourinho managed in two-and-a-half years and is now level with Louis van Gaal’s total from two full seasons.
Worried Sign for United’s Transfer Policy
Despite Amorim’s ambitions, there is still skepticism about United’s ability to function effectively in the transfer market. The club has made costly mistakes in recent years, including Antony’s £81.3m move from Ajax, which has been underwhelming. The Brazilian winger has already been loaned out to Real Betis, and left-back Tyrell Malacia, signed for £13m in 2022, is also set to leave. These financial missteps have contributed to United’s well-documented budget constraints.
The club’s “tight” Profit and Sustainability position has limited their spending power compared to rivals like Manchester City. While Pep Guardiola has had the luxury of assembling an expensive, dominant squad, United have had to be more cautious with their investments.
This reality does so much pressure the last hours of the transfer window. Without reinforcements, United risks sinking into the bottom half of the league table while increasing the chances that Amorim might be shown the door ahead of the 2025-26 season. A bad end to the season would serve not only as a threat but also limit future transfer funds as the club tries to catch up with the best at the top level of football.
A Critical Hour for Amorim and United
Amorim’s choices today will go on to shape United’s direction over the next many years with merely hours remaining to the transfer window. Hojlund and Zirkzee represent two instances of hesitation that betray a sense of lack of confidence in his new young strikers, thus further fueling doubts among the faithful and the pundit class alike.
Top managers rarely rotate their key goal-scorers. Guardiola doesn’t leave Erling Haaland out of the team, just as Arne Slot wouldn’t bench Mohamed Salah without a compelling reason. Amorim’s approach suggests he is still searching for his best attacking formula, but time is running out.
United need to take a risk. Playing it safe in the market could leave them stuck in mid-table mediocrity. If the club fails to strengthen adequately, Amorim will bear the brunt of the criticism. The pressure is on, and the next 24 hours could define his tenure at Old Trafford.
