Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Sports News Special Report

Ruben Amorim's biggest Man United transfer priority is an upgraded version of player he already has, not a striker

AFNEWS reporter

May 05, 2025

Ruben Amorim's biggest Man United transfer priority is an upgraded version of player he already has, not a striker
Man United with one eye (or probably both!) on Thursday night lost to Brentford on the weekend but not before giving them a scare.

READ ALSO: David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics

The 4-3 loss to Brentford would've been good enough for Ruben Amorim had Matthijs de Ligt's injury not happened but still, there were positives to take.

READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history

Be it Tyler Fredricson being a 'different class', or Chido Obi showing glimpses of potential, Amorim will be pleased to see the youngsters are not that far away from first-team level.

READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future

Perhaps the biggest positive is that the game showed him his biggest transfer priority and it's an upgraded version of the player he already has instead of a striker.
Man Utd's transfer priority
United have already started moving in the transfer market and sealed one signing, while another is in the pipeline.

READ ALSO: Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?

Enzo Kana-Biyik to Man Utd is "Here we goÔÇØ but he's more of a long-term gamble, while the signing of Matheus Cunha should soon be official.

READ ALSO: BREAKING NEWS: Governor Ikpeazu Vaccinated against COVID-19 |PHOTOS

The striker was widely accepted as the next on the agenda but the game against Brentford showed that it's not as simple as that.

READ ALSO: TOP STORY: Why EFCC Froze Kogi State N20 Billion Sterling Bank Account

While it's natural to think that a team not scoring enough goals simply needs a player who is clinical, Brentford showed United's problem runs deeper.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Gov. Fubara, Wike Meet In Aso Rock | READ DETAILS

Chido Obi huffed and puffed without reward, much like Rasmus Hojlund, until one player came on and showed the importance of a midfielder with the ability to play progressive passes from deep.

READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach

Christian Eriksen is not the player he once was and it looks even worse in a physically intense side against pressing opposition but his gifts on the ball are inarguable.

READ ALSO: #BuhariMustGo Protesters Blocks Road To International Airport Abuja | SEE PHOTOS/VIDEO

His presence immediately allowed United to get a foothold in the game and start playing through the Brentford press, and his passes from deep fashioned multiple chances for a starved forward line.

READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football

Buying a new striker is still important but someone like Victor Osimhen or Liam Delap will struggle the same way until the issue behind them is fixed. That starts with getting a ball-progressing midfielder.
Four players fix Man Utd next season
Amorim recognised the need for calmness and composure in the final third so Cunha's transfer is set to be sealed.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: FG plans to replace BVN with NIN - Pantami |READ FULL

Then he saw the team not scoring enough goals so a striker was targeted. Now, the Brentford game has shown that simply getting a new striker won't fix the issue so a midfielder needs to be targeted.

READ ALSO: Scouts Coordinated By Kenneth Ogbuehi From Europe Gives Abia Footballers Pass Mark

That's three players who, when plugged into the system, will make a remarkable difference to the team.

READ ALSO: David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics

In addition, a pacy central defender who can defend in a high line and act as a stopper instead of a covering centre-back is the last piece of the puzzle, at least for now.

READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history

The goalkeeping situation is not ideal and may need addressing in the future but for now, four players who, coincidentally, form the spine of the team through the centre - centre-back, progressive defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, striker, will make the difference.

READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future

The wing-back issue was fixed to a certain extent with the long-term gamble on Patrick Dorgu, now it's time to sort the center.

Related Stories

""

— AFNEWS reporter

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member