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unitedbydevils · 12 days ago

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Amorim's United: Who makes the cut?

With United having suffered five defeats in December alone, and conceded 9 goals in the last 3 games - all notably without De Ligt due to illness - there's some big cracks visible in the United squad.

This prompts me to pose the question: who, in this current United squad, makes the cut. Below I'll break out into five categories:

Sell

Monitor

Keep

Promote

Buy

SELL

United have ELEVEN players who need to be moved on. This isn't necessarily because they haven't pulled their weight and performed, but there's an issue with them being in the squad and that needs addressing.

Jonny Evans - A veteran player who I'd love to see stick around as a coach, but the reality is he's ageing and was a surprise signing under Erik Ten Hag. He has been useful at times but he's slowing, and a third season should not be a thing. Maybe an U21s player/coach at most.

Casemiro - Good player, especially with Ugarte now to partner him in CM, but he's on a huge wage and it seems like either INEOS don't want that bill or Amorim doesn't really rate him. Either way, time to part ways.

Harry Maguire - The former captain has had something of a renaissance under Ruben Amorim in the back 3, which reduces his ball-playing duties and allows him to showcase his better traits. That said, he's not first choice ahead of De Ligt, and with INEOS tightening up on contracts... he might decide it's time to move on and bag one last big deal to be a guaranteed starter.

Victor Lindelöf - A good bloke, a defender I like, but he has always been lightweight and doesn't suit Amorim's defence. Like Maguire, his contract is running out so it's time to say thanks and best wishes.

Altay Bayindir - He wasn't especially rated before we signed him as our backup keeper, and he hasn't done anything to impress since signing. I'd rather promote from the academy to be understudy.

Marcus Rashford - This one hurts. There's rumours about drink and gambling, but how much of that is exaggeration of a black man's socialising? Who knows. Either way, we can say that Rashy has looked unhappy at United for a while, and the rumours of INEOS wanting to sell him, his chat with Henry Winter about being ready for a new challenge, and hints from Amorim about him not being up-to-scratch and thus not in the match squads... it feels like game over for United x Marcus. A real shame, but he's on huge wages that are not consistent with his output. He's no Mo Salah. That's not on him - you get offered big money, you take it, but it's poor from the Glazers and former management to "retain" him on such money and to bring that pressure.

Christian Eriksen - Like Juan Mata, Eriksen is an incredibly talented and intelligent player, but he just does not have the legs to do more than the offensive work for the team, and that's not viable in this rebuild. In an established team, you can handle 1-2 players like that, but United are not established. We're an expensive, clumsily assembled squad. A return to Brentford would be a fun move to see - let him be that attacking mid playmaker for another 2 seasons and then go wind down in Sweden or Denmark.

Luke Shaw - A talented defender no doubt, and a LB/LWB that would suit Amorim's system well, but the best ability is availability and Shaw is out more than he's in. His decision to go play for England in the summer was admirable for England fans but dire for United fans - setting his fitness/recovery back by months after struggling through at the end of the Euros. We pay his wages, and he disrespected that, and sale is the punishment.

Mason Mount - I like him, but he's also an injury failure like Luke Shaw. It's a crying shame, because his pressing style is perfect for an Amorim 10 and a bit of form/rhythm would get the goals + assists out of him, but he can't do it. His last full 90 was before Inter Miami was launched ffs. Thanks but goodbye.

Tyrell Malacia - Back from injury, Malacia is slowly working back to fitness. He did well vs Saka and Arsenal but has been poor aside. Form and match fitness take time, so maybe he'll come good, but at best I feel Malacia is a back up LWB to somebody, and given we have Amass coming through and Diego Leon getting signed… it feels like the end of the road and back to the Eredivisie.

Antony - A left footed right-winger that doesn't beat his man and offers very little goal threat, crossing, or set piece talent. He moves and grafts, but that's the bare minimum, and he cost an absolute fortune (not his fault). Cut our losses and move him on, because Pellistri would do more and our academy kids will do more.

MONITOR

To add insult to injury, there are SEVEN players who are on the watch list for Amorim and his coaches, due to failing to meet the required standards of quality or consistency.

Andre Onana - Last season he was iffy, especially in the Champions League. This season, Onana started well but has recently began shitting the bed. Conceding two direct corners in the space of a week is vile. Here's hoping it's a blip and he returns to form, but if it's not... that's two wonky seasons and sale worthy.

Diogo Dalot - The RB/RWB should suit Amorim's formation to a tee. He hasn't played at RWB enough, helping deputise at LWB, but wherever he has played he has been poor. Maybe a run of games at RWB would fix this, but that's why he's monitored not sold. A hard worker, but not that smart, Dalot might be a future sale once United are tidied up a bit.

Lissandro Martinez - I like The Butcher, but this season he has been sub-par. Maybe a back three doesn't suit him, but the LCB seems to be ideal for his left foot and ball-playing, so I think it's just a poor spell of form. He needs to stop losing his markers and all should be well.

Bruno Fernandes - He's not Captain Fantastic (god I'd love Robbo in this team) but he has a lot to offer. The problem is we're not seeing it. We're missing the goals and instead getting treated to silly bookings (three reds this season already). Bruno needs to lead by example or he'll be made to leave as an example.

Joshua Zirkzee - He's new, and evidently a clever, technical player, but he seems languid and has delivered... nothing, so far. We need more goals or assists in the second half of the season, else next season is make-or-break for him.

Toby Collyer - The youngster is on the fringes of the first team, and making many matchday squads. I wonder if he'll get game time, so it's hard to judge his readiness just yet as he isn't playing. Toby's at the point of play or sell though come the end of next season.

Harry Amass - A talent we robbed from Watford's academy and we teased in the pre-season. Offensively lovely, defensively flawed, but an ideal LWB. I think he's ready to be tried, but it's unclear if Amorim sees anything there yet.

KEEP

Thankfully we have some people to keep.

Kobbie Mainoo - Kid's mint, even if his form at the moment is meh. This is where squad depth should allow him to be benched.

Manuel Ugarte - YES LAD. Proper bruising midfield destroyer, god bless.

Matthijs De Ligt - My captain. I'd move it to him from Bruno next summer. He's not world class but he's very good.

Noussair Mazraoui - This guy might be world class, but his form has just tailed off. Hopefully it's a blip like the others, but still, he's reliable even on a bad day.

Rasmus Hojlund - Not first-choice quality, yet, but certainly one for the future so he should stay. It's not his fault we couldn't get Kane.

Alejandro Garnacho - Same. Decision making is poor but he's good.

Amad Diallo - Boy Wonder. Love this kid and i'm so glad he's finally getting his just rewards. A bit of a dip - like so many - of late but otherwise he has been very impressive this season.

Leny Yoro - Back from injury and looking alright, the kid has a high ceiling to his play. A few mistakes in there at the moment, but Rio had that at his age too. Playtime will iron out the kinks.

Tom Heaton - Third choice keeper, academy graduate, reliable dude. No point in shifting on people with the United mentality and the right attitude. Maybe a player/coach setup in the U21s, and bump Dermot Mee to no2 keeper.

PROMOTE

Only two obvious ones here: Dan Gore and Godwill Kukonki.

The latter is a tall, strong, technically proficient LB/LCB which is flexibility that has evidently pleased Ruben Amorim.

Dan Gore at CM flirted with the first team previously under Ole and ETH but injury set him back. Now he's back at it for the U21s and looking sharp, and his box-to-box style will allow him to play in that midfield pairing. He has a bit of Keano bite in him as well as a knack for shooting from distance and good passing range. I'd even go so far to try him alongside Ugarte as soon as possible, to let Mainoo rest and shape up.

BUY OR LOAN

United under Amorim are struggling at both wing back positions and in the front three.

Diego León (Cerro Porteño) - The 17 year old has reportedly agreed a pre-contract with United ahead of signing officially for a small fee next summer. He's strong, fast, and reportedly good technically, but he's a kid and an unknown. That said, this seems a done deal, so I think he's going to be our backup LWB and moulded in the image of Amorim.

Tyler Dibling (Southampton) - Another teenager, the 18 year old is in his breakthrough season and looks electric up and down the right wing. He's good on the ball, he's not afraid to be in possession, and he offers valuable width. He'd very much suit the RWB position and could form a lovely dovetail partnership with Amad in the right 10 and play swapsies positionally to lose markers. Mmmm, tasty.

Evan Ferguson (Brighton) - The Irish CF is a class player and a proper leading man, but he is injury prone. Brighton are losing patience, and United are desperate for goals. The lad's a United fan, so it could be a good trial to earn a summer transfer.

Matheus Cunha (Wolves) - I told friends that today is the game that sealed his move to United. He's himself liked comments linking us with him on Instagram, and to be honest... I like him. I think he offers us similar quality on the ball to Amad Diallo and that dazzle and guile is something we need to inspire the team and give confidence. His pace and agility makes him a mean goal threat, and we greatly lack that. He'll be 26 next spring too, so he's entering his prime and this would be a perfect time for a big move.

Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) - LWB is a flawed position for us, and Kerkez (also rumoured a United fan) is playing well for Bournemouth and would solve a lot of our issues there. With Terminator-level stamina, strong marking, and very competent passing... to me this is a no-brainer signing.

Patrick Dorgu (Lecce) - The one thing stopping Kerkez being the definitive LWB rumour for United. Dorgu the Dane is a starlet at Lecce in Serie A and has shown great potential. He's a big specimen and boasts strong ball carrying and technical skills. He can play LWB, RWB and LCB, but my only concern is a lack of assists. Versatility is nice but we also need end product, which is where I'd punt for Kerkez, but we'll see.

Alvaro Fernandez (Benfica) - We have a buyback on our former academy player, but I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to come back after our disrespect. A talented prospect, Alvaro excelled in the very physical Championship, picking up accolades along the way, and yet United didn't see him as a worthwhile prospect versus the injured Luke Shaw and unproven/then injured Tyrell Malacia. Wild. He's good on the ball, pacey, has good crossing, and isn't afraid to tackle. There might be better players, but he's still rather good and has a long way to go until his ceiling.

Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) - The ideal RWB choice with all the pace, crossing, finishing you could want... but probably not likely. Rumour has it he is a United fan, but why would a player of his calibre join a shitshow like us, especially if we don't make Europe? Fandom only goes so far.

Éderson (Atalanta) - The CM is very likely to move next summer thanks to the amazing season he, and his team, are having in Serie A and Europe. Statman Dave and Ste Howson have both picked the lad out as an ideal acquisition to partner Ugarte thanks to his rounded game of passing, pitch coverage, strength in duels, and creativity. This would be a perfect signing for Dan Gore to understudy.

Angel Gomes (Lille) - The former United academy CM was and is hugely technically proficient and his performances in France recently earned him a call-up to the England squad. He'll be 25 in the summer when he's out of contract (we do like freebies) and could prove a useful squad player in that sitting CM role, dictating the play.

Jonathan David (Lille) - Another one from Lille available on a free, David is a Canadian international with a similar fast, agile style to Rashford, Martial, and Garnacho. I'm unsure if he'd work in the Premier League, but again, free is a good price and could be a safe punt for a season or two for squad depth.

Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) - Mitchell is on the cusp of an England call-up and will be 26 shortly after the start of next season. A good age, Mitchell offers decent attacking prowess and solid defensive skills. He could prove a good foil for a more offensive RWB choice like Dibling, to avoid United being too gung-ho. Rumour has it he's available on a free as well, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a cheeky +1 on his contract to bag a few quid.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) - The final freebie on the list, DCL has had his injury issues but is still evidently a top PL striker stuck in a meh team. Come and join a different disappointing north-west side, kid. He's a good leading man, scores good goals, has the proper movement in the box and all the right instincts. He's solid in the air and on the ground and wouldn't be losing duels like Hojlund - an ideal tutor for the young lad.

One that's getting added here but is NOT someone I want to add into the mix is Victor Osimhen. A very talented striker that would rip the Premier League a new arsehole, for sure, but he's on a HUGE bag of wages. Losing Marcus and Case would help fund that with some change spare, but then with Rasmus and Zirkzee and kids in the academy... is he the right signing? If he flops he's hard to move on... a nice choice but personally no. Let him go to Chelsea and win them the league. Upset Pep next season as Liverpool are this time, and keep denying Arsenal and Arteta lol.

Time to wrap up then. My must-buy four for the summer are:

Kerkez to solve LWB

Cunha to be a starting 10

Ederson, to start ahead of Mainoo in the CM pairing

Dibling at RWB

How much will the above cost? Probably around £150-160 million. It's not a cheap summer transfer window, but it's necessary repair work. The big challenge for Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada is to get people out the door and to get money for them. The more we can sell our dross for, the greater the chance of bagging these improvements, especially if we miss out on European football which is... likely. Fuck.

United's biggest flaw is a lack of goals. If we can solidify CM and solve the wing-back positions then we can guarantee the patterns of play to create more chances and build the strikers' confidence. Cunha and Amad flanking A striker... I'm already salivating.

Let me know in the comments if you agree, disagree, or players you'd like to see.

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