Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has sparked speculation over his contentment with the club's transfer strategy after pointedly refusing to answer questions on the subject.
A Telling Refusal to Engage
During his pre-match press conference ahead of United's trip to face Leeds United on Sunday, the head coach delivered what was described as a "collector's item" – a flat refusal to address a line of questioning about his previous comments on squad building. The exchange hinted at a significant fault line between the manager's vision and the club's market activity.
The journalist referenced a statement Amorim made on Christmas Eve, where he admitted: "We can play a different way to take more quality from these players because 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. I'm starting to understand that is not going to happen so maybe I have to adapt."
When asked on Friday why he had only realised this limitation a year into his tenure, Amorim repeatedly shut down the query, stating: "I don't want to talk about that. I just focus on the Leeds game." After several attempts to probe further, the Portuguese coach concluded with, "You are very smart, so…", leaving his discontent unspoken but palpable.
Downbeat Demeanour Raises Questions
Amorim's demeanour was noted as noticeably downbeat, a stark contrast to his cheery disposition during his first press briefing at Carrington last August. This shift in mood has led to questions over whether it was a deliberate signal of his unhappiness regarding the January 2026 transfer window budget.
The club had pursued Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, only for the player to choose Manchester City. It remains unclear if the £65m earmarked for that deal will be redeployed for other targets, such as Al-Hilal's Rúben Neves or Atlético Madrid's Conor Gallagher, to reinforce the defensive midfield position.
Amorim's earlier comment, "The transfer window is not going to change. We have no conversation at this moment to have any change in the squad. There's a process, there's an idea that is going to continue," now seems loaded with subtext.
Injury Crisis Explains On-Field Struggles
Elsewhere in the briefing, Amorim was his usual open self, particularly when discussing the injury crisis hampering his squad. United will be without eight frontline players for the Leeds clash due to injuries and Africa Cup of Nations call-ups.
He pinpointed the absence of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and the injured Bruno Fernandes as a critical blow. "If you lose the three of them at the same time, any team in the world will struggle," Amorim stated. "You have all the data and you can sense that three guys create most of the chances for us."
The 40-year-old also defended his substitution policy, which often features like-for-like changes rather than aggressive, attacking swaps. He argued that his intimate knowledge of player fatigue levels and in-game dynamics guides his decisions, aimed at protecting results. "We create a lot. We have more shots than anyone," he said, shifting focus to the need for defensive improvement.
While Amorim's focus is nominally on the upcoming fixture at Elland Road, his strategic silence on transfers speaks volumes, suggesting underlying tensions at Old Trafford as the January window progresses.
