It is no secret that Ruben Amorim needs to oversee wholesale changes if he is to make Manchester United a success.
If the Portuguese coach was in any doubt over the task ahead of him before he arrived, he will certainly be aware now. The Red Devils stand to post their worst ever Premier League season and those watching on can point to a number of players who simply aren’t up to standard.
United long to reach the heights they last scaled in 2013 when Sir Alex Ferguson led them to the title. Just challenging for the top four would be a good start but a number of individuals need to be replaced if that is the case.
Recruitment has been the club’s Achiles heel for well over a decade and, even with Ineos coming into the building, it appears as if those issues remain. A host of their summer signings have failed to make the grade with the club continuing to head in the wrong direction.
Some of their most recent captures, many of them landed for big money, are already deemed surplus to requirements by those who watch the Manchester outfit regularly. It means Amorim, with limited funds, may have to really delve into the market to get the players he needs and wants.
His 3-4-3 system requires unique players, namely wing-backs and midfielders capable of covering huge amounts of ground. Amorim has stuck by his system but that is yet to bear fruit whilst his captain has become the poster boy for this United predicament.
Fernandes the problem?
Roy Keane was scathing this week when discussing the United skipper. Fernandes has long been a divisive figure despite his stats often making for impressive reading. He made an instant impact when he arrived in 2020 but, what many people deem to be moaning, has not endeared him to some.
Despite Fernandes posting impressive numbers as an individual, he’s been unable to drive the club forward. Trophies have been few and far between whilst there’s no No 10 role in Amorim’s system. Fernandes is still a player the club could land a huge fee for, should they go down that route.
That would free up cash to potentially pursue the type of wide threat that the team could benefit from. There is likely to be a clamour for the signing of Matheus Cunha with the Wolves forward having a release clause of £62million.
Issues in the final third
That could help United be more prolific and threatening in the final third. Often this season they’ve had to rely on Amad to bail them out of games and his injury has showcased just how much they’re struggling when it comes to their attack.
Joshua Zirkzee has largely struggled since his summer move from Bologna and going back 12 months further, Rasmus Hojlund too has been unable to develop as many hoped. It has left United struggling for that No 9 whom they can rely upon.
Between the Dutchman and the Dane they’ve scored just five goals in the Premier League and a new striker is very much on the shopping list. Viktor Gyokores is the dream but no European football could count against them with the likes of Victor Osimhen potential alternatives.
Alejandro Garnacho also doesn’t appear to have a secure future with the club slapping a £60m price tag on him in the summer when Chelsea and Napoli came knocking. His departure could fund their pursuit of more firepower.
A new No 1
At the other end of the pitch, despite occasionally fighting his own corner, Andre Onana is still yet to convince. His signing was seen as the club evolving their style with the Cameroon goalkeeper capable of playing out in a way David de Gea simply couldn’t.
However his error count is simply far too high for a club who have trophy-winning ambitions. Ipswich was another example of the goalkeeper looking less than assured and failing to communicate effectively. Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has been touted as a target.
The other man in that debacle was Patrick Dorgu and, despite only spending a matter of weeks in Manchester, he has by no means lit things up, nor has he looked to be a clear answer when it comes to the wing-back position. He was hauled off on his debut by Amorim and United may well look for some more quality in that position. They have been linked with Geovany Quenda with the player playing under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon.
Man Utd’s potential lineup: Kobel; Martinez, Maguire, Yoro; Quenda, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Osimhen, Cunha.
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