As he looks to make his mark on his side at long last, Ruben Amorim is now reportedly personally driving Manchester United's move to sign a Premier League rival who has been compared to Michael Carrick.
Amorim admits Man Utd embarrassment
To say that Ruben Amorim's Manchester United reign hasn't gone to plan would be a major understatement. The former Sporting Club boss arrived at a club in chaos. Six months on, however, that same club are lower than they have ever been in the Premier League.
From concerns over their position in the race for European football, the Red Devils have been forced to keep one eye on the dropzone at some stages of the current campaign. And that, more than anything, sums up how far they've fallen since Amorim's arrival in November.
The Manchester United boss hasn't shied away from criticism, however, admitting his embarrassment over his side's league position following another defeat at Old Trafford - this time against West Ham United.
Amorim told reporters: "For me the biggest concern is that feeling that 'it's OK', and 'we cannot change our position so much so it's OK'. That is the biggest problem in our club in this moment because we are losing the feeling of we are a massive club and it's the end of the world to lose a game at home. I think that is the biggest concern in our club.
Man-Utd-Hojlund-Obi-Gyokeres Related
Forget Obi: Amorim can finally axe Hojlund for Man Utd's homegrown Gyokeres
Man Utd could have another academy sensation up their sleeve...
"How a manager of Manchester United is supposed to feel in that position - embarrassed, and it's hard to accept. I think everybody has to think seriously about a lot of things here. Everybody is thinking about the final. The final is not an issue in this moment in our club."
Amorim personally driving Man Utd's Wharton move
Arguably more aware than anyone else about just what the club need this summer, the Portuguese manager has reportedly set his sights on one specific target. According to Caught Offside, Amorim is now personally driving Manchester United's move to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace.
adam-wharton-palace
The Red Devils are reportedly in the strongest position to sign the England international alongside Newcastle United, but any deal will not come cheap amid rumours that Palace will demand in excess of £80m to sell their star man this summer.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref) Adam Wharton Manuel Ugarte
Minutes 1,318 1,764
Progressive Passes 107 60
Interceptions 20 27
Ball Recoveries 102 122
Despite playing over 300 minutes less than Manuel Ugarte courtesy of his injury problems this season, Wharton has completely outperformed the Manchester United midfielder in possession, whilst almost matching his numbers off the ball.
It should come as no surprise that the Crystal Palace star has earned praise from the likes of Rio Ferdinand, who said on his YouTube channel: “Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton – I’d go and get him. The reason why I’d take him is he’s one that can take the ball and transfer it through the middle of the pitch.
"He’s got a great range of passing. I think he’d be a great addition to the squad, a young English talent as well. He’s like Carrick sometimes, the way he slaps the ball about.”