If there was any question that Ruben Amorim’s pointed comments about the transfer window on Friday had somehow been lost in translation, the Manchester United head coach left little room for doubt when he was pressed on the matter again ahead of Sunday lunchtime’s clash with Leeds.
A sullen Amorim had hinted at a blip in his relationship with the Old Trafford hierarchy – and director of football Jason Wilcox in particular – in his pre-match press conference at Carrington by revealing that he doesn’t expect any new signings this month and is not having any discussions about them with the club.
United have not ruled out strengthening their squad, but insist they will not panic buy in January and are only interested in fast-tracking deals planned for the summer.
The club continue to explore defensive midfield options and have been in contention to sign Antoine Semenyo for £65million, even though it looks as though they will lose out to Manchester City for the Bournemouth forward.
Amorim appeared to be on board with that policy, but his demeanour had changed dramatically when he delivered a series of terse answers to questions about potential signings this month.
Having already put the cat amongst the pigeons by saying ‘we have no conversation in this moment to have any change in the squad’, the 40-year-old Portuguese was asked to clarify a comment earlier this week when he claimed that switching to a 4-3-3 system would need a lot of money, and he understood ‘that is not going to happen’.
Ruben Amorim hinted at a clash with Man United’s hierarchy over their January plans
‘I don’t want to talk about that. I just focus on the Leeds game,’ he said, maintaining a tight-lipped approach.
When it was pointed out by the same reporter that it isn’t like him not to want to discuss it, Amorim replied: ‘Yeah.’
Did he regret saying it? ‘No, no, no. But I don’t want to talk about that.’
Had something changed with regards to the transfer budget, or had he been told anything by Wilcox?
‘I don’t want to talk about that. But you are very smart,’ said Amorim with a smile.
Later, it was put to him that United would surely have to sign a replacement if a member of his squad is allowed to leave this month.
‘If you look at our squad, I think it’s impossible for someone to leave – but they need to talk with Jason,’ he said.
It is the first time in Amorim’s 14 months in charge that any hint of a division between him and the board has appeared; hardly on a par with Enzo Maresca’s swift demise at Chelsea, but intriguing all the same.
Amorim referred to Jason Wilcox, right, when discussing possible departures in the window
So what’s changed? Maybe Amorim was hoping that the money earmarked for Semenyo could be spent on strengthening other areas of the team.
Midfield is a glaring issue and it has been clear from the defeat at Aston Villa, a narrow win over Newcastle and the deflating draw with Wolves that United are desperately lacking creativity after losing eight senior players to injury and the Africa Cup of Nations.
The key absentees are Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, though all three should be back inside the next two weeks.
‘It sounds like an excuse but it was bad luck to lose Amad, Bryan, especially, and Bruno at the same time,’ said Amorim. ‘They had more creation in the opportunities than the rest of the team. If you lose the three of them at the same time, any team in the world will struggle.
‘We have all the data, you have all the data, and you can sense that three guys create most of the chances for us. If you lose not one, but all three at the same time, of course we are going to struggle.
‘Who is taking the set-pieces? Amad, Bryan and Bruno. So everything is combined and we just need to acknowledge that.
‘The important thing is to understand why we struggled in the last three games in creation and quality in the game. I think it’s clear.’
To make matters worse for Amorim, United fans booed after their team were held by bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Tuesday, and also made their feelings known when he replaced Ayden Heaven with Leny Yoro, another defender, in the second half.
The Man United boss highlighted key absentees, such as Bruno Fernandes, after their deflating draw at home against rock bottom Wolves
‘I understand the team better than anyone,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you have the supporters on your decisions. You have to do what you think and sometimes it’s hard for them to understand.
‘But I know when I look at the pitch, I can understand which player is tired, which player is going to struggle a lot if there is one against one all the time. I just try to protect the team and win games.
‘Sometimes it’s the best substitution, sometimes it’s the wrong substitution. But I just try to do my best.’
Amorim needs a win over Leeds to quieten the noise growing on and off the pitch. As ever, Elland Road will be at fever pitch for the visit of United, and so will Turf Moor when they play Burnley on Wednesday. The next two league games after that are Manchester City and Arsenal.
United started the weekend in sixth, but Amorim warned on Friday that their advantage could quickly be swallowed up by the eight teams behind them.
All things considered, this is not the start to the New Year he would have wanted.
