Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during a training session
Ruben Amorim has made an impression at Manchester United
Tough decisions are on the horizon for new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as plans to reshape the squad in his image are being drawn up. Some Manchester Evening News readers in our comments section would welcome the changes, but others say that the current roster should be given time to prove their worth.
There are a number of players who could be sold or offloaded to kickstart the Amorim-era rebuild, beginning as soon as January. Joshua Zirkzee has had a drab start to life in the Premier League, for example, and could want a move back to his preferred Serie A in Italy.
The defensive department needs looking at, with Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire due for a decision as their contracts near an end. Christian Eriksen is in the same boat further forward, while Casemiro could still be sellable - plus a number of United players who have not turned in good performances lately.
Reader Jungle Jerry thinks it's much too soon for this kind of talk, but it is inevitable: “Amorim should be given some time to stabilise this team. He will sort out the players. He will soon know which players stay and which players will go. He will know if he needs some of the players from the academy. Definitely no new players coming in till the end of the season. A few will definitely be leaving, if it is possible to sell them. A big loss coming up because a few will be released too.”
Commenter Meda is more positive: “He is a coach, let him coach. No more spending until the summer. And both strikers are young and can be coached. I no longer support those theories that all the players that the previous manager signed are not good enough.”
Garth123 says that a clearout is not urgent: “If the right player becomes available, United will find the money. The media claimed we didnt have much money in summer and yet with the exception of Chelsea we spent the most and with the exception of one player , who the jury is still out on have been sound signings. This season will be a factfinding project as to who can play within the new system and to select those to move on in the summer.”
Sirgreenmantle writes: “Clearing out the old regime is clearly not enough. Some in the new recruitment set-up identified Zirkzee as a viable proposition. There have been many duds in the past but he is up there as a player who least looks like a United player in recent memory. To have him and Antony in the same squad speaks volumes on how far the club still has to go to get to a structure that works.”
Saihulud says: “Money is always available at Man United. It's the decision-making on players that has been wrong every time these past ten years. Before getting in new players, Amorim must get rid of Heaton, Maguire, Lindelof, Evans, Shaw, Malacia, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Zirkzee and Rashford.”
JonathanGrosskopf writes: “Methinks that they have too much money and not enough brains to buy well, and develop what they have already. The following need to go: Antony, Zirkzee, Luke Shaw, Mount, Cassameiro, Ericson, Linderlorf, Maguire, Evans, Dalot and, sad to say, Rashford, who appears to have lost it.”
Boasy says: “Amorim will do what's right by Utd. He will get Utd kicking again.”
Have your say! Should a squad rebuild happen sooner rather than later? Or should Amorim be given a chance to teach his ideals - win or lose? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.