Manchester United have one clear issue in need of fixing over the international break, while one former transfer target's sister has lifted the lid on the club's past pursuits
Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, speaks with Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United as he applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has one dressing room concern Manchester United need to address over the course of the international break
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Ruben Amorim has much to ponder heading into the international break, but one squad concern at Manchester United is larger than the rest. And one portion of the dressing room, in particular, has its work cut out for it in making improvements over the next fortnight or so.
Amorim's side scraped a point at Tottenham on Saturday after failing to hold onto the lead Bryan Mbeumo opened up in north London. As such, United's porous defensive record persisted, with the team having kept just one clean sheet in 12 outings so far this term.
Elsewhere, it has become clear why United failed to sign one of their former transfer targets after the player's sister divulged details of the missed opportunity. Mirror Football examines the latest headlines surrounding Old Trafford as the international break provides an opportunity for reflection.
Amorim's dressing room conundrum
Whereas scoring goals has been the primary concern for United in recent campaigns, it's painfully obvious this season's main issues lie in defence. Avoidable errors at the back have become an unwanted hallmark of the team this term and were once again on display against Spurs.
Summer signing Senne Lammens has been an upgrade between the posts and can't be blamed for the downpour in goals conceded. Instead, that responsibility lies mostly with those in defence and certain midfielders, who have failed to show the necessary calm in crucial moments.
Manuel Ugarte was partly at fault in both of Tottenham's goals this weekend. The Uruguayan first allowed Wilson Odobert to breeze past him too easily before helping to tee up Mathys Tel's equaliser. He then had a hand in keeping Richarlison onside for their go-ahead goal.
And while Mathijs de Ligt may have salvaged a point thanks to his 96th-minute equaliser, he too had some forgettable moments. Chief among those was looking too passive in allowing Tel to turn and shoot yards from Lammens' goal for the leveller.
They're far from alone, given the likes of Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, and Casemiro have each displayed weakness in defence over recent weeks. United sit seventh in the Premier League but have conceded 18 goals, a tally beaten only by the bottom five teams in the table.
While the signings of Mbeumo (the Premier League's Player of the Month for October), Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have improved matters in attack, bringing the defence up to par if the next port of call. And while any issues won't be solved entirely over the international break, it's the ideal opening to at least make changes that will matter in the long haul.
Onana's sister lifts lid on United pursuit
Amid United's search for a new robust midfielder in the summer of 2024, Amadou Onana was one of those touted for a move to Old Trafford. The Belgium international had spent two seasons impressing for Everton and levelled up by joining Unai Emery's Aston Villa for £50million that July.
And it's now become clear exactly why the Villans were so eager to sew up their agreement so swiftly. That's after Onana's sister and agent, Melissa, gave a look behind the curtain regarding United's interest and why he opted for Villa Park instead.
"Aston Villa's sporting project was crystal clear," she told Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri (via Walfoot). "It was a project where Amadou could continue to develop. We spoke with the sporting director, and the salary was also attractive, let’s not kid ourselves."
She continued: "The Euros were coming up, Amadou was performing well, and we finalised the deal. Then, Manchester United entered the picture. But I had already given my word to Aston Villa.
"We knew very well that Manchester would be able to offer better financial terms, but we had already given our word to Aston Villa, and the project was a good fit. The style of football played, the club’s ambition: Amadou felt right at home there."
It wasn't until the final days of Erik ten Hag's transfer window at Old Trafford that United finally signed Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. A little more than one year later, Villa's outlay to sign Onana is looking like money well spent, whereas the jury is still out on the similar fee forked out to recruit Ugarte.
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