“Quality…” What Rúben Amorim said about Nuno Mendes amid Manchester United’s bid

Old comments from Rúben Amorim surrounding Nuno Mendes have resurfaced amid Manchester United’s reported interest in the Portuguese left-back.

Manchester United have reportedly approached Paris St. Germain to discuss the potential signing of left-back Nuno Mendes in 2025 as the club looks to address their defensive struggles under new head coach Rúben Amorim.

Amorim has so far been unable to shore up United’s backline, with defensive frailties—particularly at set-pieces—continuing to haunt the team. A foray into the 2025 transfer market appears inevitable as the club seeks solutions.

United’s left-back position has been a recurring problem over the past decade. Luke Shaw, the long-time occupant of the role, has faced persistent injury setbacks ever since suffering a double leg fracture in a 2015 Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven.

Shaw’s backup, Tyrell Malacia, has also endured a challenging period, recently returning from a 17-month layoff following a severe knee injury that required multiple surgeries.

In their absence, Diogo Dalot has filled in on the left but is widely regarded as more effective on the right—a sentiment Amorim himself has acknowledged.

What Amorim said about Mendes at Sporting

Amorim was a key figure for Mendes during the formal years of his career, as the then-Sporting CP boss gave Mendes his senior debut in June 2020, just days before his 18th birthday.

Mendes went on to make 47 appearances under Amorim before sealing a switch to Paris St. Germain in September, initially on a loan deal before the club activated a £34 million buy-option.

When the 22-year-old departing Sporting in September 2021, Amorim was open in his disappointment to losing such a player. “It’s a shame to see him in a PSG shirt,” he said. “I wish him all the luck in the world. He’s missed because he was a really funny kid.”

However, this is not the only time Amorim appreciated the young full-back. Back in 2020, around the time of his debut, Amorim explained that despite his young age, he thought that Mendes was already good enough to be a starter.

“It doesn’t mean he’s going to play, but Nuno Mendes is ready to be a starter,” Amorim said in a 2020 press conference when asked if he felt Mendes was ready to play against Tondela and if there were any other academy players he would want to see play.

“There are a lot of quality players, we have a lot of them and there isn’t room for everyone right now. We have a very large group and there are others that I would like to call up if the squad wasn’t so large.

“We have a good group of young players, we have to think about the next step. Ivanildo is competing and we’ll see, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

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