It has been revealed that Manchester United refused to buy seven players for Rúben Amorim because they went against what he considered transfer priorities.
For the most part, Manchester United struggled under Rúben Amorim, with most of the squad not suiting his back-three system.
In the summer, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo added Premier League-proven experience to a squad that dearly lacked it after Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona.
Benjamin Šeško and Senne Lammens also joined the ranks in what was considered a largely successful summer under Jason Wilcox, but it appears Amorim still wasn’t happy.
It has now been revealed that he was denied seven signings throughout his short tenure at Old Trafford, including alternatives to several of the current first-team squad.
Experience over youth for Amorim
As many of his United squads confirmed, Amorim favoured experience over youth. The transfers he was reportedly denied have only added more fuel to the fire.
As per The Sun, Amorim wanted to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa over Lammens in the summer window, but the recruitment staff made the decision to sign the young Belgian.
Another signing Amorim was denied was Ollie Watkins. The £74 million United committed to Šeško would’ve gone on Watkins if Amorim had his way, but Christopher Vivell pushed for the young striker.
Patrick Dorgu joined United in the January transfer window last year, Amorim’s only signing of that period, but in truth, he wasn’t the first choice.
Amorim would’ve preferred his former left-wing-back Nuno Mendes, although he would’ve been costly due to his impressive form for Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League-winning campaign.
Amorim continued to search Sporting
Despite reports stating he wouldn’t sign players from his former side, Mendes wasn’t the only Sporting player Amorim looked at while United manager.
Geovany Quenda, Ousmanne Diomande, Salvador Blopa and Morten Hjulmand were the other four players United denied the Portuguese manager.
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However, it must be noted that Quenda ultimately chose to sign for Chelsea instead, while Diomande is on United’s reported list of centre-back targets for the 2026 summer transfer window.
Amorim’s desire for his former players will remind United fans of Erik ten Hag’s raid of Ajax when he first joined the club.
As well as players currently at the club, Ten Hag also signed Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as former Ajax players.
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