“If you watch the game, I think you can feel it as well along the way – we had opportunities to take all three points home, but then everything that happens: Harry (Maguire) has to go out, Casemiro has to go out – and then we concede two quick goals.” This was Amorim’s short version of the summary of the 2-2 draw against Tottenham. This winter, the United manager loses two of his most important players in attack, the January transfer window will be a real dilemma for United.
We see the result when Maguire and Casemiro have to go, two veterans who have played their way into key players under Amorim. This winter, both Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will disappear for the Africa Cup of Nations, in addition to Bejnamin Sesko being out with a knee injury that could take a long time.
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At the beginning of the month, Amorim gave an overview of Man Utd’s signing strategy with a focus on long-term solutions that lift United. A relief to hear for the supporters, who are used to short-term emergency signings in January, which have often had minimal effect on the game.
After the Tottenham game, Amorim tells a different story. Manchester United, who after 11 games have some nails on their Champions League ticket, may be forced to go for quick solutions to solve the challenges of the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries.
“First we have to see what happens to Benjamin. We’re going to have a problem (when Amad and Mbeumo go to AFCON), but we already knew that. We could have prepared for it in the summer (before the season started), but then you end up with a squad full of players who don’t get to play, because it’s only one game a week. It’s a difficult situation to handle, but we’ll see if we can strengthen the squad when the transfer window opens.
Ask if there will be room for focus on long-term solutions in January. To us, it sounds like the winter transfer window will be characterized by firefighting.
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