Manchester United are seeing Spurs strengthen with Conor Gallagher, a player they were linked to, but it puts into focus a huge error they were about to make last season, just to back Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim ensured he would be remembered as a “truth-speaking martyr” in the eyes of many Man Utd fans by cleverly orchestrating his exit.
His frustration boiled over in his last press conference, clearly unhappy at not being backed and being told to alter his style of play.
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While the latter is certainly an understandable point of contention for any manager, the former is plainly untrue, as evidenced by Conor Gallagher moving to Spurs for a fee that makes a mockery of United’s decision last summer.
Manchester United players celebrate beating Wolves.
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Conor Gallagher moves to Spurs amid Man Utd interest
Amorim wanted reinforcements to arrive in January, while Ineos wanted to stay on the long-term plan and avoid making panic signings.
The likes of Conor Gallagher and Ruben Neves were linked to the club, but not reliably, as United had their sights set on an overhaul next summer.
A major factor that played into United not moving for Gallagher was Atletico Madrid’s reluctance to sanction just a loan.
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That has proven to be true, as Spurs have negotiated a mandatory buy clause worth €40m (about £37m) for the English midfielder.
On paper, the narrative will be that Spurs have strengthened in the summer window while United have not, thereby validating Ruben Amorim’s point.
However, in reality, this just proves Ineos were wrong to back Amorim even as much as they did, especially with their £40m decision last summer.
Gallagher fee makes a mockery of United’s Kobbie Mainoo stance
United are already feeling the effects of backing Amorim unilaterally, having sold multiple wingers to fit his vision, and being left with none when they go back to a back-four.
What are your expectations for Kobbie Mainoo now Ruben Amorim has been fired?
Kobbie Mainoo in action during a first-team Manchester United training session at the Carrington training complex in 2025 in Manchester, England.
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However, everything pales in comparison to their stance on Kobbie Mainoo last summer.
The Athletic reported recently that Ineos were prepared to back Amorim to such an extent that they were listening to offers for Mainoo worth just £40m.
Considering a player like Gallagher, out of favour at Atletico, older, with a lower ceiling, and on higher wages, is going for about that moment, it makes a mockery of United’s Mainoo stance.
Amorim has no right to be angry at a lack of backing when this is the sort of decision the club was willing to take just to suit his vision.
The reason behind sacking Amorim wasn’t right, but the decision itself couldn’t be more valid, all things considered.
The fee for which Gallagher is moving to Spurs only reinforces how “all-in” United were on Amorim, and somehow, it still wasn’t enough for him.
The club were saved from themselves when he spoke out against the bosses to cleverly orchestrate his exit.
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