Manchester United have put every player up for sale but Ruben Amorim wants to see his squad improved this summer in the transfer window after a dreadful season at Old Trafford
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has laid out three deemands to club chiefs for the transfer market this summer. The Red Devils are tasked with improving their squad after a disastrous season, and have already made their entire squad available for sale.
United's defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final ensured they missed out on European football and failed to land the £100million boost a place in the Champions League would have offered. They also find themselves in 16th in the Premier League, consigned to their worst-ever season in the division.
Despite an impending firesale, Amorim's focus remains on improving his squad. The 40-year-old coach wants the club to target players who will add pace, power and athleticism to his midfield, per ESPN.
United have already been linked to a number of forwards ahead of the summer, including Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha and Victor Osimhen. But Amorim wants to overcome another weakness he has identified since joining the club.
The Portuguese head coach has previously discussed his side's struggle to compete with the physicality present in the Premier League, in comparison to Europe. The United boss suggested that is why Antony is doing well in La Liga with Real Betis.
"The physical aspect is there [in the Premier League], no matter who the opponent is. Sometimes they don't need to build, just a long ball, second ball and that's it," Amorim said earlier this season.
"If you don't have that, you have difficulties. We talk about some players like Antony who is much better in Spain, there are many factors, but I guarantee you it's linked to the physical aspect."
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has warned United over adhering to Amorim's desires this summer however. The Premier League pundit believes that would see the club shaped specifically to the former Sporting boss' system which is unlikely to suit any potential replacement.
"With Amorim, you are not just committing to an individual coach," said Carragher. "It means spending big on redesigning the squad to meet Amorim’s specific needs in the knowledge that, if he underperforms again next season, his successor will most likely revert to a flat back four.
"Given the precariousness of United’s finances, which Ratcliffe acknowledged earlier this season, can the club really afford any more expensive mistakes? Would it suit all parties if he shook hands and walked away from Old Trafford? Many people in football would probably consider that a mutually beneficial outcome."