- Man United have made several mistakes in the transfer market in recent years
- Ruben Amorim has admitted that the club have to improve their recruitment
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why Manchester United may have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has fired a warning to the club, urging them to improve their transfer business and the academy.
Amorim has endured a mixed record since arriving at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in November, winning just four – and losing six – of his 12 games in charge.
Despite the turbulent start, there is an acknowledgment that United will allow the Portuguese boss to build his long-term vision at the club following a difficult period in their history.
The Red Devils, who currently sit 13th in the Premier League, have not won the top flight since 2012-13, while they have regularly failed to qualify for the Champions League over the past decade.
This has been despite a period of heavy spending, with several big-money additions at Old Trafford failing to make a positive impact on the club, including the likes of £85million Antony, £60m Angel Di Maria and £73m Jadon Sancho.
And, speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal on Sunday, Amorim insisted United must do better in the transfer market going forwards.
Ruben Amorim has urged Man United to improve their transfer business and the academy
United have made several transfer mistakes in recent years, like the £85m signing of Antony
Amorim’s words on the academy come despite United’s impressive youth production line
‘I don’t remember saying clearly that I want new players,’ he said. ‘What I said is sometimes the profile for the system is different and the players came here with a different idea of playing.
‘We need to improve recruitment, when we are targeting players that we are sure they can cope with the demands.’
Meanwhile, United have long been famous for their record in youth development, with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo just three examples of academy graduates who have established themselves in the first team over recent years.
Mail Sport reported this week how the Red Devils would be open to selling Mainoo and Garnacho if big bids come in for the two youth products this month or in the summer, given the need to meet Financial Fair Play (FFP) limitations.
However, Amorim insisted he wanted to keep Mainoo and also outlined his desire to see United’s academy get better in the future.
He added: ‘Yeah, my players are always my favourites so I want to keep my players. It is a special moment in this club, it is a hard moment but I am really happy Kobbie is improving.
‘Also, we have to improve our academy, young kids that feel the club in the right way and do some business to have money to invest in the team.
‘Our idea is always to keep the best players and to build for this club but I am really happy and like our players especially the guys from the academy.’
Amorim’s warnings are likely to be heeded by United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (above)
Amorim also insisted he wanted to keep Kobbie Mainoo despite speculation over his future
Elsewhere, Rashford has missed the last six games after indicating that he would consider a new challenge in his career and there has been significant speculation over a January exit for the 27-year-old.
And, speaking on Friday, Amorim was reluctant to say whether the unsettled star would return to the squad at Arsenal on Sunday.
‘We will see guys,’ he added. ‘Let’s focus on the game. They are available, they are training, we will see for this game.’