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RUBEN AMORIM’S challenging tenure at Manchester United was characterized by the club's refusal to approve seven significant transfers.
During Amorim’s 14-month period, United invested £256m on new players, yet the Portuguese manager expressed dissatisfaction with their transfer strategy.
A lack of support hindered Ruben Amorim’s difficult time at Old Trafford, as seven key targets were blocked.Credit: EPA
Amorim, 40, was in discussions with the board regarding his transfer targets.
Sources revealed to SunSport that Amorim's primary concern was that he had suggested different players compared to a shortlist created by director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell.
Amorim insisted on being referred to as the “manager” rather than the “head coach” during a heated exchange after United's 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday.
He sought greater authority over decisions and was frustrated with prior transfer dealings, which were mainly managed by Wilcox and others.
In the midst of struggles, Amorim aimed to acquire Premier League-proven and Argentina World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez last summer.
Martinez, 33, was awaiting a call at Villa Park on deadline day and would have cost the club £40m.
However, United's leadership, established by Ineos, opted to take a risk on an unfamiliar goalkeeper, 23.
The young keeper has performed well this season, despite having only one professional year prior to his £18.2m transfer to Old Trafford.
Sources also indicate that Amorim wanted United to pursue Villa’s No9 before the club spent £74m on another player.
Martinez was waiting for a call at Villa Park on deadline day before United signed Senne Lammens.Credit: Getty 
Amorim favored a transfer for Ollie Watkins over Benjamin Sesko.Credit: Getty Recruitment head Christopher Vivell advocated for the potential of Sesko, who has scored only two goals in 17 Premier League matches this season.
Nuno Mendes was Amorim’s top choice for left wing-back, but he remained at Paris Saint-Germain while United opted for Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.
PSG left wing-back Nuno Mendes was Amorim’s first choice ahead of Patrick Dorgu (right).Credit: Getty Amorim’s frustrations also stemmed from being denied multiple players from his previous club.
These included Geovany Quenda, Ousmane Diomande, Salvador Blopa, and Morten Hjulmand.
United were understandably hesitant to follow the same path that previously allowed the former head coach to sign several Dutch players, many of whom had worked with him at Ajax.
However, the 18-year-old prodigy Quenda was available, having engaged in discussions with United before ultimately agreeing to a £42m deal with Chelsea, where he will officially join in the summer.
Quenda joined Sporting in 2019 at the age of just 13, with Amorim arriving a year later.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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