Manchester United will not wait for departures to sign new players, Ruben Amorim says
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is still waiting for the club to sign more players, most likely another goalkeeper.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester United have a group of players who want to leave, but the club will not wait for their departure to bring in their replacements, manager Ruben Amorim said on Aug 22.
The Red Devils said in July that five players were seeking to leave the club, comprising Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho. While Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan
Amorim left all four players out of the squad when United began their English Premier League campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal
“And it’s not an idea that these players are going to leave and then we’ll receive another player. We don’t know what is going to happen, but we are not waiting to take out someone to bring another player. One thing is not responsible for the other.”
Garnacho has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, while Real Betis are keen on bringing back Antony after his successful loan spell last season. Interest in Sancho is complicated by the winger’s reported weekly wages of £350,000 (S$606,760).
United have spent around £200 million on transfers already this summer, strengthening their attack with the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
There are still weaknesses in the goalkeeping position and in central midfield, however. Reports have said that the club are close to a deal with Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
While nothing is confirmed, Amorim will have to make do with what he has. He said United did well against Arsenal despite the narrow loss, and needed to maintain their consistency against Fulham, who drew 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug 16.
“They have a clear identity, Marco Silva is really experienced, really smart. He can change several things, cover several spaces, and you can see game by game, he’s tried to do that,” Amorim said of his Portuguese compatriot. “They are comfortable because they have experience, they understand the league... it’s going to be a tough match.”
Amorim omitted United’s first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana against Arsenal based on “form”, and an error by replacement ’keeper Altay Bayindir led to the visitors scoring an early winner.
“Onana is ready to play like last week... so we will see who is going to be the goalkeeper,” Amorim said, adding that every player, other than Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui, was fit.
In the Fulham camp, Silva confirmed that Ryan Sessegnon and Antonee Robinson have trained but need further assessment. When asked about the United clash, he said that it is “very important” to start the season well at home and “the connection” with the fans is “crucial”.
“We are playing against a great side,” he said. “I know last season is not the way they wanted (United finished 15th in the league). This season, they have spent heavily in the market and signed a striker that all in the market were looking for in Europe.
“For us, it is a very important and it is going to be a very demanding Premier League game.”
On the transfer market, the Fulham boss was not happy about the lack of signings in this window compared to last season, when they had already acquired the players they wanted at this stage.
“At this stage of last season, we had two to three players in. This season, we had a plan, the plan has fallen through. It’s our fault, not active at all. We cannot be pleased at all,” he added. REUTERS, AFP
