Amorim Pinpoints Crucial Position Man Utd Must Target in January Transfer Window
Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United to acquire an offensive-minded wingback similar to Amad Diallo to enhance their attacking capabilities going forward.
The Red Devils suffered another disappointing loss during the Amorim tenure last Monday, falling 1-0 at Old Trafford to 10-man Everton, despite the Toffees having Idrissa Gueye dismissed in the 13th minute while the match remained scoreless.
United couldn't penetrate the stubborn defensive setup organized by their former boss David Moyes, with Amorim's refusal to abandon his favored 3-4-2-1 formation despite having a man advantage drawing widespread criticism.
Amorim's tactical changes also faced questioning, particularly his choice to substitute Patrick Dorgu with the defensively-oriented Diogo Dalot before the 60-minute mark, which proved counterproductive.
The Portuguese manager has subsequently highlighted his limited options in wide positions ahead of Sunday's Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace, indicating United would benefit from another player with Amad's characteristics in their roster.
Amorim Hints at Transfer Priority
"We require time to enhance the team's attributes. I've mentioned this throughout the past year," Amorim responded when asked about reinforcing the wingback position in 2026. "As an illustration, in our previous match [versus Everton], we needed an Amad-type player who's right-footed to deploy on the opposite flank when facing 10 players.
"These are the qualities that we'll work to acquire over time to become a stronger team. Are we currently the ideal setup to execute this style? Not quite yet. But like every team, we require time to establish the proper attributes in each position."
United approach Sunday's fixture at Selhurst Park seeking to bounce back from a three-game winless run that featured stalemates against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur prior to the Everton setback.
Amorim will face another 3-4-2-1 advocate in Oliver Glasner and acknowledged that Palace are surpassing the Red Devils in their tactical grasp of the system.
"Our playing style differs. The data demonstrates this clearly. It's challenging to elaborate on everything," stated the 40-year-old. "They represent a different organization and are executing things more effectively than us. It's quite straightforward.
"You wouldn't claim that all 4-3-3 teams operate identically. We play at different moments, defend in different areas, and attack differently. They're simply performing better than us."