Ruben Amorim wanted a “dynamic midfielder” but INEOS failed to deliver | OneFootball

In mid-July, with the club’s transfer window reaching a crucial point, sporting director Jason Wilcox made a major call which could define Manchester United’s season – and Ruben Amorim’s future at Old Trafford.

At this stage of the summer, The Athletic reveals there was an internal debate whether to “go for a No 6 or No 9” after the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – two No 10s – were either complete (Cunha) or in the process of being so (Mbeumo).

The report reveals “some at the club believe[d] a midfielder should have been the priority” with the current cohort – Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro – lacking the athleticism Amorim’s system demands.

But Wilcox, confirmed as United’s sporting director in place of Dan Ashworth in June but having been responsible for the role since last December, pushed for a goal scorer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe “backed that call.”

The logic was obvious; United had endured its worst campaign in the Premier League era last season, with a record low of 44 goals scored, and an upgrade up front would be an immediate fix given the dismal performances of Rasmus Hojlund.

A move for Benjamin Sesko was “accelerated” after Newcastle United began talks for the RB Leipzig striker, with the Red Devils eventually agreeing a deal worth a potential £74 million to secure Amorim his new frontman ahead of their North East rivals.

But while the new No 9 arrived, though Sesko currently has the number 30 on his back, a No 6 never joined him, with the club’s budget largely directed towards the misfiring attack at Wilcox’s behest.

The First-Choice Target

The Athletic reveals a “dynamic midfielder was on the agenda all summer” with Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Carlos Baleba the first-choice target.

United agreed personal terms with the Cameroon international who was “keen on the switch” after receiving positive noises from compatriots Mbeumo and Andre Onana, as well as former teamate at Lille, Leny Yoro

Amorim “pushed for Baleba internally” – with Ratcliffe’s seal of approval – but a deal proved unworkable after it became clear Brighton would demand a comparable fee to the one Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo two years ago, worth £115m.

Whether this price was considered unrealistic because of United’s own valuation of Baleba not matching up to the one they were quoted, or if it was simply too costly due to the decision to prioritise a £74m capture of Sesko instead, is unclear.

The answer is likely somewhere in the middle.

Alternatives to Baleba

Naturally, United did not solely focus on one option in midfield, even if Baleba appears to be the only target the club made active advances towards signing.

The Athletic contends other names were “considered” alongside the Cameroonian, including Ederson (Atlanta), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart) and Ardon Jashari (AC Milan, but moved from Club Brugge this summer).

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Amorim’s former pupil at Sporting CP, Morten Hjulmand also have “admirers ” at Old Trafford.

Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Corentin Tolisso was a “budget option,” though The Athletic notes his “wild celebrations” in the director’s box at Old Trafford during the Europa League final clash in April after being sent off would have made negotiations “intriguing”.

A pursuit of any of these options did not extend beyond interest, however, with the sense that Baleba is the club’s primary target for the position. United are expected to return for the 21-year-old midfielder next year, having already laid down the groundwork for a deal this summer.

A season-defining decision

There were questions raised after Chelsea completed the £115m deal for Caicedo – a British record at the time. But two years on, amidst an ocean of transfer wheeling and dealing at Stamford Bridge, the Ecuadorian is one of the club’s best signings, despite the exorbitant price.

It is a similar case at Arsenal after the Gunners forked out over £100m to secure Declan Rice in the same summer – an eye-raising amount for a defensive midfielder from West Ham. But the 26-year-old England international immediately established himself as an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side and there are zero regrets over the deal at the Emirates.

Securing a Premier League-proven midfielder at a great age with the potential to become one of the division’s best in their position is not a cheap pursuit – but it is a worthwhile one.

United appear ready to secure their own version next summer, when Brighton’s openness to Baleba’s exit will be softer and the Red Devils’ budget replenished. But could that prove twelve months too late for Amorim?

The Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 system employs a central pivot who often face a numerical disadvantage in midfield. This imbalance demands a a potent pairing of athleticism and technical ability to overcome; a combination none of United’s current midfielders can provide – but Baleba does.

These concerns will have driven Amorim’s desire to see the Brighton starlet arrive this summer. The performance against Fulham at Craven Cottage, which saw Marco Silva’s side carve open United’s midfield in the second half, will have done little to assuage this.

It was a huge call by Wilcox to pick a striker as a bigger priority than a defensive midfielder at a point in the transfer window when two Premier League-proven goal scorers – Cunha and Mbeumo – were already secure. How effective can a number nine like Sesko really be if his team have zero control over the most important area of the pitch behind him?

There is logic in waiting for the right option if a club truly believes that target is the best candidate for the position. But given none of the current employees at the company can fulfil the role, it is a major risk to do so – for both Wilcox and Amorim.

United’s sporting director has gambled that goals will paper over the cracks of a deficient midfield. It is a decision which will decide the team’s success this season and likely define his head coach’s future beyond it.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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