Manchester United round-up as details of a Ruben Amorim wish and the numbers behind an expensive mistake emerge
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim didn't get all his transfer wishes before being sacked(Image: Getty Images)
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Following their weekend break from action, Manchester United are preparing for a return to Premier League duty against one of their rivals for Champions League qualification. United welcome Aston Villa on Sunday with both teams level on 51 points in third and fourth place, respectively.
Both sides will be seeking to recover from losses in their most recent league fixtures, United at Newcastle and Villa at home to Chelsea. The fact United remain in contention for a Champions League berth is testament to the efforts of interim boss Michael Carrick, who has revitalised the squad following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Whether it proves sufficient to secure Carrick the role permanently this summer may depend on whether he delivers a return to UEFA's premier club competition. brings you a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford....
Amorim request rejected
The squad Carrick took over could have looked very different had Amorim secured his preferred targets in the transfer market. The Portuguese coach had sought proven acquisitions who could make an immediate impact.
The likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arrived as established Premier League performers, but the same could not be said of two other acquisitions, goalkeeper Senne Lammens and striker Benjamin Sesko. Amorim wanted experienced Villa duo Emiliano Martinez, 33, and Ollie Watkins, 30.
However, with Ineos and director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, favouring youthful players who could potentially provide a decade of service, Amorim didn't secure all the targets he desired. This now appears to be a prudent decision with Lammens offering the stability in goal that United sorely needed and Sesko beginning to justify his hefty transfer fee.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesko has started to turn a corner at Manchester United(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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£138m squandered
While last summer's transfer dealings are appearing increasingly astute, past decisions continue to haunt the club. Take Jadon Sancho.
It's been 18 months since the £73m signing last featured for United. Currently on loan at Villa, he is prohibited from playing against his parent club on Sunday.
Sancho will finally be released when his lucrative contract expires in the summer. While United will have recouped some funds through loan fees from Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Villa, who will have also contributed towards his wages, the Daily Mail estimates Sancho has cost United a total of £138m, including the transfer fee.
In another stark statistic for the Old Trafford finance department, Sancho has made more appearances for his loan clubs than for United, where he has made just 83 appearances, scoring 12 goals with six assists.
Jadon Sancho has struggled for form at Aston Villa
Jadon Sancho has struggled for form at Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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New injury setback
United are set to be without Lisandro Martinez against Villa after the defender suffered a new issue in training. The centre-back rekindled his partnership with Harry Maguire in the first five matches of Carrick's tenure, reintegrating into the team after 10 months out with a cruciate ligament injury.
The Argentina international sustained a calf problem during training last month, forcing him to miss the victories against Everton and Crystal Palace, as well as the defeat at Newcastle. He has now experienced a 'reaction' upon returning to training, sidelining him for the Villa fixture. In his absence, Leny Yoro is expected to retain his position alongside Maguire.