It has been a month since Ruben Amorim took charge at Manchester United, and during this time, he has faced challenges and situations he hasn’t encountered before in his managerial career. While he went an entire year without losing a league match and remained undefeated at home with Sporting since February 2023, the Premier League has proven to be far more demanding and ruthless.
In five matches, he has managed two wins, one draw, and two losses—a modest start. However, no one will hold that against him, as many of the issues predate his arrival. Problems are lurking just around the corner. The squad is in dire need of an overhaul, yet Manchester United likely won’t have the funds to execute it during the winter transfer window. Reinforcements are unlikely without sales, and Marcus Rashford might hold the key to bridging the gap.
According to reports from the UK media, Ruben Amorim didn’t fully anticipate the extent of the challenges awaiting him at Old Trafford. Radical measures may be necessary. For now, he remains observant, opting to delegate individual meetings with players to his assistants while assessing the situation. Discussions with the club’s management have made it clear that he will need to wait for reinforcements.
The only way to bring in new players is through outgoing transfers. Marcus Rashford has been identified as someone who could generate significant funds for the club, but there are several serious obstacles to executing such a plan.
The Biggest Challenge: Finding Suitors
First and foremost, there needs to be interest in Rashford. Last summer, United were reportedly open to letting him go, but no offers came through. This isn’t surprising when considering his dramatic decline in form after a season where he scored 30 goals. Additionally, his disciplinary issues and a recently signed five-year contract with a staggering weekly wage of £325,000 complicate matters further.
Since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, Rashford has shown signs of improvement, performing better than he did under Erik ten Hag in the past year. He has scored three goals in five games, hinting at a potential resurgence. Amorim has deployed him both as a central striker and in a deeper role behind the forwards, gradually reinvigorating the Englishman.
The Path Ahead
One of Ruben Amorim’s key tasks is to restore Marcus Rashford to something resembling his 2022/2023 form, ensuring he becomes an attractive prospect for other clubs. Paris Saint-Germain had shown interest in the past but have since cooled off, and no other clubs are currently inquiring about the English forward.
Manchester United desperately need this situation to turn around to secure the financial flexibility required for squad reinforcements. The pressure is on Rashford to deliver consistently and for Amorim to unlock his full potential once again.