‘Very Smart’—Ruben Amorim Leaves Door Open to Man Utd Rift Over Transfers

Amorim’s previous comments about a dramatic formation change and lack of funds have come back into focus.

Ruben Amorim had a wry smile for his press conference on Friday. / Manchester United YouTube

Ruben Amorim has sparked rampant speculation about a clash with the Manchester United hierarchy over a lack of funds for the club’s rebuild during a bizarre exchange with a journalist, who he described as “very smart” after posing a probing question.

This intrigue was borne out of Amorim’s uncharacteristic refusal to answer a question during his press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leeds United. The Portuguese boss has fostered a reputation for blunt honesty during his first year at the Old Trafford helm and it was some of his past comments which were the subject of this unwelcome questioning.

Back on Christmas Eve, Amorim revealed that he may have finally accepted defeat in the battle to implement his preferred formation. “I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3 we need to spend a lot of money and need time,” he mused. “I’m starting to understand that is not going to happen so maybe I have to adapt.”

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These quotes weren’t immediately leapt upon at the time—there was more focus on Bruno Fernandes’s injury—but Amorim promptly shifted to a 4-2-3-1 system against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

The subsequent claim that there have been no transfer discussions ahead of the January window drew attention back to Amorim’s previous declarations about a lack of funds. United spent in excess of £200 million ($269.3 million) over the summer on a new-look frontline but the need for a new midfielder remains clear. Amorim himself has openly requested a new wingback for his very specific 3-4-3 system.

Amorim refused to explain these statements over more money and time when questioned by The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson during Friday’s prematch press conference. However, he did hint at some telling conversations with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox.

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Every Word of Amorim’s Odd Exchange

Jamie Jackson: “You said you’re starting to understand that to play 3-4-3, you [need] a lot of top players and that’s not possible. Can I ask why you never realised that when you first came into the club?”

Ruben Amorim: “I don’t want to talk about that. I just focus on the Leeds game.”

JJ: “That’s interesting. It’s not like you not to talk. Do you regret saying it, maybe?”

RA: “No, no, no. But I don’t want to talk about it.”

JJ: “I’m going to try one more time—it seems mystifying why you would say a year in, that you only just realised you wouldn’t be able to get [enough] top players. Has something changed with regard to what you were told, or did Jason Wilcox talk to you?”

RA: “I don’t want to talk about that.”

It was at this point that Manchester United’s press officer jumped in to try and steer the conference towards another question which the head coach may be willing to answer only for Amorim to butt in and finish his dialogue with Jackson: “You are very smart, so...”

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Man Utd’s January Transfer Window Strategy—Report

Amorim has refused to deviate from his preferred approach. / Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Amorim has made little secret of his desire to recruit a new wingback—specifically one with the attacking potential of Amad Diallo but inverted on the left wing. There have been links with Sporting CP’s Salvador Blopa, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Köln’s Said El Mala. Yet, it appears that the club have a different January window in mind.

This short winter transfer slot is expected to be a period of preparation rather than permanent moves, according to The Athletic. Rather than splurge on any short-term quick fixes, January is set to be a time when Wilcox and his recruitment team lay the foundations for permanent acquisitions of long-term targets next summer.

That will do little good to Amorim, who hasn’t done a great job of hiding his frustration.

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