Following Manchester United's 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the "City Ground," coach Ruben Amorim was questioned about his future at the club. In his response, Amorim stated, "At Manchester United, you don’t have time." He continued, "We need to hit the target quickly... the pressure here can sometimes be very intense."
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This loss marked United’s 13th defeat in the Premier League this season, which is just one shy of their worst-ever record from the 2023-2024 campaign. With this result, the team now sits behind Bournemouth, in 10th place, seven points adrift, with only eight matches remaining in the season. It’s now becoming increasingly clear that Amorim’s team will not finish in the top half of the Premier League table.
This poor performance could have significant implications for the club. If Manchester United fails to win the Europa League, they will miss out on European competition for the first time in a decade. This is a concerning prospect for a club of United’s stature and history, and it underscores just how high the pressure is on Amorim to turn things around.
Given the current state of affairs, it is hardly surprising that Amorim feels the weight of the pressure. The former Sporting Lisbon coach was brought in to replace Erik ten Hag, and he signed a contract until 2027. However, his tenure so far has been far from smooth, and many are questioning whether he will even complete his full contract if he is unable to turn the team's fortunes around. Amorim faces a difficult challenge, as he needs to deliver results quickly to avoid further dissatisfaction from the club's management and fans.
The future of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United will likely depend on how he navigates the upcoming summer transfer window. This will provide him with the opportunity to begin reshaping the squad according to his own vision. The summer market is crucial for Amorim, as he will need to address the team's weaknesses, make smart signings, and perhaps offload some of the players who have not met expectations. According to i News, this rebuilding process may involve the sale of up to 10 players from the first-team squad, in addition to the departures of players like Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof, who will leave on free transfers.
The critical question now is: who should Ruben Amorim sacrifice in order to fund the acquisition of his key targets? With this in mind, the Goal website has compiled a list of 10 players who should be considered for departure this summer. These players have been deemed surplus to requirements, as their performances have not been up to the standard expected of a Manchester United player.
Rasmus Højlund is one of the players who has been under scrutiny. In the final nine minutes of the Nottingham Forest game, veteran defender Harry Maguire was brought on as a striker, trying to use his aerial ability to score an equalizer. While the plan didn’t succeed, Maguire registered a higher expected goals (xG) value of 0.6, which was more than what Højlund had managed in any of his 15 previous matches for United, according to xG Philosophy data. In total, Højlund has scored just 8 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions this season, only 3 of which came in the Premier League. This is far from the level expected from a striker who cost the club £72 million (approximately $92 million), making him a candidate for potential departure.
Antony is another player who has struggled at Manchester United. After being loaned out to Real Betis, the Brazilian winger found form again, registering 8 goal contributions in his first 12 matches with the Spanish club. In contrast, his performances for United have been disappointing, with only 5 goals and 3 assists in the Premier League. Given his underwhelming return on investment, United should seriously consider selling him permanently in the summer, even if it means taking a financial loss on their original investment.
André Onana, the goalkeeper brought in with high expectations, has also failed to make the impact that many hoped for. Onana was meant to be the final piece of Erik ten Hag’s project at Manchester United, but his performances have been inconsistent at best. The goalkeeper’s struggles have become apparent in several matches, including one where his poor distribution nearly cost the team a goal against Ipswich. Onana’s struggles have led to criticism from fans and players alike, making him another potential candidate for departure if United decides to invest in a new goalkeeper.
Marcus Rashford’s performances have been questioned as well. Although he has shown flashes of brilliance at times, Rashford has been prone to inconsistency throughout his career. He has never scored more than 10 goals in the Premier League in a season, aside from four seasons out of his nine with the club. This inconsistency and lack of sustained form have led to doubts about his future at the club, with some suggesting that he could be moved on to make room for new blood in the squad.
Mason Mount, a summer signing from Chelsea, has also failed to live up to expectations. Despite showing glimpses of potential when returning from injury against Nottingham Forest, Mount has only started 9 matches in the Premier League since joining in 2023. His overall performances have not justified his hefty £60 million ($79 million) price tag, which raises questions about whether he should remain at the club.
Tyrell Malacia has also seen his career at Manchester United stall. After an injury-riddled season, Malacia was loaned out to PSV Eindhoven, where he has managed to regain some of his form. However, given his lack of opportunities under Amorim, it may be best for Malacia to move on permanently and continue his development elsewhere.
Finally, Jadon Sancho has struggled to adapt to the intensity of the Premier League. Despite showing flashes of skill and creativity, Sancho has failed to make a significant impact at United, with his performances on loan at Chelsea this season further highlighting his struggles. His inability to adapt to the demands of English football suggests that he may be better suited to a move away from the Premier League.
In summary, the pressure on Ruben Amorim at Manchester United is mounting, and his future will likely depend on how he manages the upcoming transfer window. Several players are underperforming and could be sacrificed to fund the club’s rebuilding process. United's ambitions to return to the top of English and European football will require tough decisions in the summer, as Amorim looks to reshape the squad and steer the club
back to its former glory.
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