Ruben Amorim's Vision for Manchester United's Squad
When asked if he had a clear vision for Manchester United's squad ahead of the pre-season training in July, Ruben Amorim was unequivocal. "Yes," he affirmed. "I have a clear idea of what we want. As you know, we are somewhat limited and cannot achieve everything in one summer, but there is a clear picture of what we desire."
These remarks were made just over six weeks ago as the United head coach concluded the club's end-of-season tour in Asia. With the team back in training and their first pre-season match against Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday, it appears that the desired clarity has not yet fully materialized.
The five players deemed surplus to requirements, whose departures are crucial to freeing up funds for new signings, remain at the club. Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrrell Malacia are training separately from the main squad. Only one significant addition has been made so far: Matheus Cunha, acquired for £62.5 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
What is happening behind the scenes, and how likely is it that Amorim will reshape the squad to his liking? Could United be forced to consider selling other players to raise the necessary funds?
The 'Bomb Squad' Has Been Truly Ousted
On July 4, United announced that the five players who had requested to leave would not train with the rest of Amorim's squad. Rashford's iconic number 10 shirt was assigned to Cunha. Since their exclusion, the only significant development has been that these players cannot access United's Carrington training ground—except for rehabilitation and medical purposes—until Amorim and his squad have departed for the day.
These players, dubbed the 'bomb squad' due to their exclusion, can train together at Carrington if they choose, combining this with work away from the complex, which is in the final stages of a multi-million pound upgrade. From Amorim's perspective, their time with the team is over.
This move makes a repeat of last summer's 'peace deal' between Sancho and former manager Erik ten Hag unlikely. That agreement allowed Sancho to join United's U.S. tour before moving to Chelsea on loan. More importantly, it signals to interested clubs that these players are unwanted, weakening United's negotiating position.
Transfer Negotiations Likely to Extend to Deadline Day
Antony, Sancho, and Malacia collectively cost the club over £167 million. Rashford and Garnacho, considered 'homegrown' under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rule, are valued at a combined €95 million (£82.34 million), according to transfermarkt.co.uk. Amorim could certainly put this money to good use if they were sold, but there is no sign of this happening yet.
United hopes to finalize Bryan Mbeumo's protracted move from Brentford for over £60 million before Amorim and his squad embark on their pre-season tour. Beyond this, the club will rely heavily on player sales to fund additional transfers.
Rumors persist: Rashford is linked with Barcelona, his preferred destination; Sancho with Juventus, although their coach, Igor Tudor, prioritizes signing Francisco Conceicao from FC Porto; Real Betis is keen on bringing Antony back; Garnacho's name surfaces at Chelsea, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid; and Malacia is suggested as a target for Celtic. However, none of these rumors have materialized into concrete offers.
Rashford and Sancho are among the Premier League's highest earners. Unless they accept pay cuts—something neither appears willing to do—United will likely need to offer financial incentives to facilitate permanent transfers or loans. Antony and Malacia are not in the same salary bracket, but interested clubs are not financially equipped to sign them, suggesting United faces similar challenges with these players, albeit on a smaller scale. As for Garnacho, it is difficult to imagine anyone meeting the £60 million fee United initially hoped for.
As the likelihood increases that deals to offload the 'bomb squad' will not be completed until closer to the transfer deadline on September 1, the question arises: might United consider selling other players?
Exploring Other Options to Raise Funds
Interestingly, United has generated more revenue from sell-ons this window than from player sales. Anthony Elanga's £55 million move from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle earned the club £6 million. The sell-on figure is expected to grow quickly, with defender Alvaro Carreras completing his move to Real Madrid from Benfica. United will receive 20% of any sale price over £5 million, potentially earning around £7.6 million. Additionally, Maxi Oyedele's pending €6 million (£5.2 million) move from Legia Warsaw to Strasbourg could net United £2 million, thanks to a 40% sell-on clause.
Whether these funds are sufficient to facilitate further signings remains to be seen. This raises the question of who else United might consider selling. Kobbie Mainoo has yet to agree to a long-term contract extension, and Toby Collyer also has two years remaining on his deal. Both contracts include one-year options, so United retains some control over these players' futures.
The arrivals of Matheus Cunha and, eventually, Mbeumo, combined with captain Bruno Fernandes' decision to reject offers from the Saudi Pro-League, suggest that places in central midfield or the narrow number 10 roles favored by Amorim will be limited. United already boasts a roster including Casemiro, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad Diallo, and Manuel Ugarte.
Amorim previously stated he could operate with a smaller squad this season, given the absence of European football. Consequently, there are players beyond the 'bomb squad' whose futures at Old Trafford remain uncertain.
A Squad Filled with Uncertainties Beyond the Unwanted
Injuries have undermined the confidence of Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, who must compete for positions in a defense featuring promising talents like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. Andre Onana's pre-season hamstring issue provides Amorim with an opportunity to evaluate his goalkeeping options. However, unless 21-year-old Radek Vitek steps up, the choice will be whether to stick with or replace the Cameroon international, given Altay Bayindir's underwhelming performance at the end of last season.
The situation is similar in attack, where ongoing evaluations and decisions will shape the squad's final composition.