MANCHESTER UNITED have broken all the wrong records so far this season.
Ruben Amorim is the club’s third manager after the disastrous start made by Erik ten Hag.
And while interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was able to steady the ship during his four-game interim spell in charge, things have turned even more sour following the appointment of Amorim.
The Portuguese boss warned of the “storm” to follow his appointment as he tried to implement his own tactical ideas into the squad.
However, just four games won out of his first 10 have come as a mighty shock even for this squad which has largely flopped over the last two seasons.
Results have left the Red Devils down in 14th and just eight points above the relegation zone.
Millions of pounds were spent trying to improve the squad under Ten Hag.
But with another rebuild now beckoning, United simply do not have the means to splash the cash without first trying to balance the books.
This has come in the form of many petty cost-cutting schemes at the bottom of the club pyramid.
These have included the sacking of 250 staff in the summer, stopping many initiatives such as the Christmas party and the pulling of a £40,000 donation to a charity for ex-players, as exclusively revealed by The Sun.
Yet January represents a time when transfer chiefs, led by Jason Wilcox following Dan Ashworth’s departure, can start to attempt to write some of the wrongs made in the market.
The big move which could facilitate a swathe of activity is the exit of Marcus Rashford.
After 18 months of immense struggles playing for the Red Devils, Rashford, 27, admitted in an interview earlier this month he was “ready for a new challenge”.
The local lad has since been absent from Amorim’s matchday squads, indicating his time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end if there is sufficient interest.
According to The Athletic, United took steps in the summer to find suitors for the attacker in the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi giants linked.
But the report cautions a loan transfer is more likely given his huge £325,000-a-week wages, though this would at least move some of the money off of United’s wage books and help with PSR needs.
Harry Maguire is another star who could be sold to improve the clubs PSR position, with Napoli taking a reported interest in the defender whose contract expires in the summer.
Expensive flop Antony has also been linked with the exit door amid a smattering of solid cameos under Amorim, with Real Betis said to have been interested last summer.
But outgoings alone will not solve this team’s issues, with a left wing-back one of the main priorities the club will be looking to resolve going forward.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man Utd
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity
United have struck a deal to sign teenage left-back Diego Leon from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno, and the transfer is nearing completion.
However, the 17-year-old will not be able to actually play until the summer due to post-Brexit regulations preventing Premier League clubs from signing under-18s from abroad.
Instead, club chiefs may eye a blast from the past in the form of Benfica left-back Alvaro Fernandez.
United have a buy-back clause in his deal that will allow them to re-sign the 21-year-old, who they sold for around £5million in the summer, for £25m.
Fernandez has been a key star with Benfica top of the Portuguse league and playing every minute of their Champions League campaign so far.
In terms of more senior stars, United have been monitoring Atalanta midfielder Ederson, 25, owing to his impressive displays for the high-flying Serie A side.
His familiarity with a 3-4-2-1 system would also serve United well to improving Amorim’s options in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Amorim’s former main man Viktor Gyokeres has also been linked extensively with a transfer to follow his old boss to Man Utd.
However, the 26-year-old Swede has an £83m release clause in his contract that United are in no position to match – though he could reportedly depart for as little as £50m.
Man Utd ratings vs Wolves
By Ken Lawrence
WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.
The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.
United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances…
ANDRE ONANA: 4
He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.
LENY YORO: 5
Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.
HARRY MAGUIRE: 6
The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6
Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5
Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.
MANUEL UGARTE: 5
Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 5
Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.
DIOGO DALOT: 6
Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.
AMAD DIALLO: 5
Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 3
Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.
RASMUS HOJLUND: 5
Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.
SUBS
Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6
Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6
Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5
Read the full article here
