Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has emphasized that the club is "trying everything" to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes, following another disappointing home defeat, while maintaining they won't repeat past recruitment mistakes.
The situation at Old Trafford has become increasingly concerning, with United suffering their fifth Premier League home defeat in their last six games under Amorim. This record now surpasses Jose Mourinho's total home league losses (four) during his two-and-a-half-year tenure and matches Louis van Gaal's tally of five defeats across two seasons.
The team's goalscoring woes have been particularly evident, with only Everton and the bottom three teams scoring fewer than United's 28 Premier League goals this season. The statistics become even more striking when compared to Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, who has single-handedly matched United's entire home goal tally of 17 this season.
Addressing the transfer market situation, Amorim stated, "We are trying everything to improve the team without making the mistakes of the past and also trying to balance the urgency of the moment. This market is really hard on clubs to make some deals. I want to improve the team so badly. I know what the team needs."
The club has already shown some transfer activity, spending £25m on Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu and acquiring Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven in recent days. However, potential deals for Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel and Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku are considered unlikely, while the club's Profit and Sustainability position remains "tight."
The situation with Marcus Rashford exemplifies United's current predicament. The 27-year-old forward, who hasn't played since December 12, underwent a medical at Aston Villa ahead of a loan move. Despite being just two goals shy of being United's joint highest scorer this season, Rashford's departure seems imminent. Amorim dismissed suggestions of potential embarrassment if Rashford succeeds elsewhere, stating, "When you loan a player, you expect him to play and improve so there is nothing humiliating there."
Recent big-money signings have also failed to deliver, with £81.3m Antony already loaned to Real Betis and £13m signing Tyrell Malacia potentially heading for the exit. The struggles of expensive arrivals Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who cost over £100m combined, were highlighted when both were left out of the starting lineup against Crystal Palace, with Kobbie Mainoo deployed as a false nine - an experiment that ultimately proved unsuccessful.
As the transfer deadline approaches, United face a crucial period that could define their season. Unlike Manchester City's spending power under Pep Guardiola, United's financial constraints limit their options. Without significant reinforcements before the window closes, the club risks remaining in the bottom half of the Premier League, potentially increasing pressure on the Portuguese manager and further limiting future transfer funds.
The pressing need for scoring solutions is evident in Amorim's rotation of strikers, contrasting sharply with how managers like Guardiola and Arne Slot consistently deploy their key forwards Erling Haaland and Mo Salah. While the financial limitations and time constraints present significant challenges, United must take calculated risks in the transfer market to avoid further decline.
