Q&A: Who will be in Amorim's starting XI next season?
- Published
In the final section of chief football news reporter Simon Stone's four-part Manchester United Q&A, he looks at what Ruben Amorim's team could look like next season and what kind of players the club can attract.
Josh asked: United have a broad mix of raw, young talent, dead wood and ineffective squad players. Other than Bruno Fernandes, there is no player who has been consistent for a long period of time. Heading into the summer transfer window, which players do you see as nailed down in Amorim's starting XI?
Simon: Crumbs! That is a tough one - and my answer would be different if we were starting with a blank sheet of paper.
For instance, given a free choice, I would probably want a different goalkeeper. However, given his contract runs to 2028 and there are other areas of the field more in need of surgery, I would stick with Andre Onana. Patrick Dorgu at left wing-back and Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, either alongside the Uruguayan or further forward, are the others certain to play.
Diogo Dalot on the right on the basis he is always fit. Beyond that, you are talking about Mason Mount in an inside forward spot, and either Lisandro Martinez or Luke Shaw in the left-sided position in defence. However, the latter trio have a big asterisk by their names because of chronic injury issues.
Martin asked: Do you think people need to start being realistic about expectations at United? I read all these stories of management being accused of not bringing in certain managers or certain players - Harry Kane, for example. Why do people assume these people want to come to the club? Surely this isn't all down to management failing to secure targets, some has to be down to people not wanting to come to Manchester United any more?
Simon: There is some truth to this. In fairness, I think they could have got Kane - but there are others out of reach. United tried to sign Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham earlier in their careers but couldn't land either.
Let's face it, when Haaland and Bellingham came to leaving Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City and Real Madrid, United weren't even in the conversation. They were not signing Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain last summer, so when you take out Mohamed Salah, whoever they had as their main goal threat was going to be at least a step down from the very highest level if you concluded, as they did, Kane was not value for money.
What United must get out of is the cycle of paying too much to persuade top quality but reluctant players it is worth making the move. Angel di Maria is one example, but there are lots of others.