Ruben Amorim Gives Bad News On Manchester United’s Transfer Plan

Manchester United fans might need to brace themselves because Ruben Amorim has hinted that the club won’t be bringing in a big-name striker this summer. Instead, the Portuguese head coach is trusting new boys Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to lead the charge up front, with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee told they’ll have to earn their spot in the XI.

It is a bold move from Amorim, especially when you see what clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal have been doing. While United’s rivals have splashed out on players like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Viktor Gyökeres to sharpen their attacks, United’s window has been decent, but still not ambitious enough to compete. 

Amorim Keeps Faith In New Signings

So far, United’s major attacking signings are Cunha from Wolves and Mbeumo from Brentford, and they didn’t come cheap. The duo cost the club over £130 million combined, and Amorim is banking on them to take on a bigger role than many initially expected. While both are talented and could lift the team’s attack prowess to a whole new level, neither is a traditional No. 9, which is what makes this all the more interesting.

Amorim addressed the media ahead of United’s preseason opener in the U.S. and didn’t hold back when discussing his plans. “They can play as a striker. We have Josh (Zirkzee), we have Rasmus,” he said. “Our focus is to improve the connection between them. I don’t know if the position is there for them. They have to work. They have other players who are fighting for that position. But again, I’m really pleased.”

His confidence in Cunha and Mbeumo was not just about what they can do with the ball. He was just as impressed by their attitude off the pitch. “They proved the qualities that they have. They are really humble, that is really important, and the best thing is that they chose to be here,” Amorim explained. “They had other options, Champions League options, and they read everything people say about our club at the moment, but they chose to be here, which is a key point for me.”

That last line stands out. In a time when Manchester United wasn’t quite the European powerhouse it once was, players who willingly chose to join, even without Champions League football, carried real value in Amorim’s eyes.

Zirkzee and Højlund Must Step Up

Amorim does not believe in automatic starters. Both Højlund, who was signed for £72 million, and Zirkzee, who was brought in for £36.5 million, now need to prove their worth all over again. Despite their price tags, they managed just seven Premier League goals last season, which was hardly the kind of return United had hoped for. Although Zirkzee did improve and showed glimpses of brilliance, Rasmus was shy of confidence all season and couldn’t hit the ground running.

That internal competition might be what Amorim is banking on. By refusing to guarantee anyone a spot and backing versatile players like Cunha and Mbeumo, he’s trying to create a merit-based culture. United fans have watched their team struggle for goals in recent seasons, and this summer’s transfer approach doesn’t exactly scream “problem solved.”

It does not help that teams like Arsenal and Liverpool seem to be pulling further ahead in the attacking department. With Wirtz, Ekitike, and Gyökeres joining their ranks, both clubs are willing to invest heavily in firepower. United, on the other hand, seems to be banking on internal solutions.

MetLife Opener Will Reveal a Bunch

United’s first friendly in the U.S. is just around the corner. They will face West Ham at MetLife Stadium this Sunday, and all eyes will be on how Amorim sets up his forward line. Will Cunha be pushed into a central role? Does Mbeumo get the nod? Or will Højlund and Zirkzee take their chance to impress and remind everyone why United spent big on them in the first place?

One thing is for sure. Amorim will not change his mind anytime soon. Unless a world-class striker suddenly becomes available and affordable, United’s business up front is done. For better or worse, he’s going with what he’s got.