We are fighting relegation!
Image generated with Grok AI
Manchester United have once again lost at home, this time to Newcastle in the final game of the year. But as much as I want to be frustrated, I just can't. I am apathetic. It's very obvious to me where the problems are but the question or the hindrance to resolving the problems is the financial constraints the club finds itself in.
Will the club have the finances to resolve the glaring holes in the January window?
As it stand now, it seems Rashford is seemingly being pushed out of the club for this very reason. He is a high earner. He would count as pure profit in the books if and most likely when he is sold. He hasn't been playing his best for two seasons now. It just seems the right time despite the nefarious undertones.
Others on the chopping block are Casemiro, Antony and the frequently injured duo of Shaw and Lindelöf.
So, what obvious holes does the club need to fix?
Like I mentioned in my previous post, the full backs are the biggest issue at the moment.
Is it a consequence of lack of enough time to train?
Amorim has been quoted saying that he has only had 4 training sessions with the full squad since he arrived. Going by that, he definitely hasn't had enough time to impact his methods. Beyond that, it is very clear to me that the wingbacks aren't really fit for purpose.
They don't think like wingbacks at all, which is probably why Amorim prefers wingers in those positions. Dalot and Mazraoui don't get up the pitch fast enough when possession is turned over in our half. Instead, they are always behind the ball, in a defensive posture meaning the overload Amorim tries to create against the opposition defense doesn't exist.
That is why I was really looking forward to Amorim bringing Amad back into his RWB role in my previous post. Amad is the only one in the team who actually plays like an Amorim wingback. He is so good in possession in the wide areas and equally astute in defending outside his own box.
Therefore, in my opinion, if there are some funds available in January the main priority should be purchasing a LWB and put Amad back in the RWB position.
The want-away Nunos Mendes from PSG seems like the ideal choice. His injury record doesn't sound very good but beggars can't be choosers. In any case, Amorim substitutes his wingbacks regularly, which ensures they don't get injured often.
My ideal (and I am using the word ideal loosely) squad looks something like this.
We may need a striker on loan, but reports indicate that Man United don't intend to make any loan signings in January. Only permanent signings.
At the very least, this lineup should survive relegation and probably win the Europa League if Amorim gets time in training.