Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Sunday, 04 January 2026, 08:54 / Updated on Sunday, 04 January 2026 08:57
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has had tense talks with the club's management regarding possible transfers in the winter mercato.
Otherwise very open in discussions with the press, Ruben Amorim suddenly became blunt when it came to the reinforcements he wanted this winter. At the press conference held before the game with Leeds, the Portuguese technician surprised the journalists with his statements.
Ruben Amorim: “Maybe I have to adapt”
“I feel that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we have to spend a lot of money and we need time. I'm starting to understand that's not going to happen. So maybe I have to adapt,” said the Manchester United manager.
Asked by a journalist if sporting director Jason Wilcox rejected his transfer targets, Amorim replied: “I don't want to talk about it. You're very smart, so . . .”. In other words, “read between the lines.”
Manchester United have 5 players injured and 3 out for the Africa Cup of Nations
United are in 6th place ahead of the match with Leeds, scheduled for Sunday, from 15:00 Romanian time, but they are facing big staffing problems. Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are injured and Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are out for the Africa Cup of Nations.
United's bench averaged 20 in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton and talks between the manager and the club's management took place in the coming days, which could explain Amorim's irascible mood.
Ruben Amorim: “I think you need to talk to Jason Wilcox”
The fact that new players are unlikely to emerge in January also influences the future of some who were rumored to be leaving the club, such as Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo. “If you look at our squad, it's impossible for anyone to leave. But I think you need to talk to Jason Wilcox,” the Portuguese manager suggested to reporters.
Wilcox handles recruiting, analytics and performance, but is reluctant to spend any more money in this mercato after what in the summer it invested £225 million in player acquisitions.
