Amorim refuses to explain cryptic transfer comment

Ruben Amorim’s cryptic response to his controversial statement about his transfer fee hints at potential conflict behind the scenes. He has refused to clarify the statement he made about his transfer budget.

Amorim clammed up when asked to explain something he said about his preferred play style at his media conferences, which he normally was so open to.

He said, “We need to spend a lot of money and we need time if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3.” That is not going to happen, I’m starting to understand. So perhaps I need to change.

For the 1-0 win over Newcastle on December 26th, Amorim switched to a four-at-back formation before switching to a five-back formation when Wolves held United to a draw four days later.

United officials privately acknowledged that pursuing Bournemouth’s £65 million attacker Antoine Semenyo was going to fail on December 23rd, the day before Amorim’s comment. They also stressed that the goal was never to use the 25-year-old as a wing-back.

Amorim was asked to explain why he did not understand the role that recruitment played when he joined United from Sporting in November 2024 before his side’s Premier League game against Leeds on Sunday.

The journalist then inquired by Amorim again about whether something had changed with regard to the transfer budget before Amorim said he did not regret his remarks before the Newcastle game. He then said, “I don’t want to talk about that,” and he continued.

The Portuguese then continued, “But you are very smart, so..,” after a brief pause and after the United media official sitting next to Amorim at the press conference had begun to specify who would pose the next query.

No details have been provided, but it would seem obvious that the journalist could figure it out for himself and that it was relevant to the subject matter he had been discussing.

United has repeatedly emphasized that signings must be made in January in accordance with their long-term goals.

Amorim claimed after the Newcastle game that he occasionally had scuffles with the club over targets. One of those is reportedly the choice to sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens on transfer deadline day as opposed to Emiliano Martinez, the coach’s preferred target.

Amorim claimed that because he understood the qualities needed to play in his team, it was crucial that the coach’s voice was heard following the Newcastle game.

Following a particularly poor run of home games, which included defeat by an Everton side that was reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes, draws against West Ham and Bournemouth, who are on an eight- and 10-game winning streak, and the Wolves debacle, the confidence in Amorim has waned.

United are currently sixth in the table, just three points clear of Fulham, who are 12th, despite having repeatedly stifled opportunities to rise to the top four.

If Amorim fails to meet that goal, there would be great uncertainty over his future as a club because they have made it known that European qualification is their goal for the season.

Toby Collyer, 22, is still recovering from the calf injury he sustained in a draw with Birmingham on November 26. However, United have already returned the midfielder from his loan spell at West Brom.

If either Joshua Zirkzee, who was substituted at half-time against Wolves, or injured midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who was injured, were given the loan moves they were hoping for, it was believed that United’s hierarchy would sanction new arrivals this month.

Amorim claimed, however, that neither player nor anyone else had informed him that they wanted to leave.

He said, “I think it’s impossible for someone to leave our team,” adding that. However, they must speak with Jason Wright, the football director.

United are known to be interested in recruiting central midfielders, but it is not believed that their top targets, England pair Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, as well as Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, are realistic targets this month.

Former Wolves captain Ruben Neves, whose future at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal is uncertain, and ex-Academy player James Garner, who has impressed since making a £15m move to Everton in 2022, have also been linked with the club.

Amorim said he was not anticipating new arrivals on Friday, saying that he had previously suggested United might make at least one signing this month.