The clock is ticking down towards Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge of Manchester United and the first clues of the early influence the new boss has had on the Red Devils’ squad.
Ipswich Town lie in wait for the 39-year-old coach, who has now taken his first training session and awaits the remainder of his international stars to return to Carrington. Amorim will have limited time to make his judgements before the journey to Portman Road on Sunday.
Talks has already moved towards the club’s transfer plans with Amorim at the helm, though it appears lavish spending will not continue. The new head coach will be tasked with getting the best out of his current group.
That has not stopped speculation of course. Mirror Football takes a look at some of the latest news surrounding United.
Gentleman’s agreement
Manchester United are said to have agreed a deal with Sporting CP to not allow Ruben Amorim to sign any of his former players when the January transfer window opens. The former Portugal midfielder has been getting to grips with his new squad and has already been linked to bringing the likes of Viktor Gyokeres to Old Trafford.
It appears such a move will not be imminently complete however, after all parties made a gentleman’s agreement. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano believes that United could make some moves in the summer however.
“In the discussions between Sporting and Man United when they agreed on Amorim’s exit in November, there was also a gentleman’s agreement for United not to bring in any Sporting player in January,” said Romano.
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Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
“This is because Sporting hope to win the title this season and they don’t want to lose any other part of the squad in January, after having the big shock of Ruben Amorim leaving in the middle of the season. My expectation is for Manchester United to eventually look at Sporting players in the summer, if Amorim approves; not in January.”
Leroy Sane contract update
Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has poured cold water on claims he could make a return to the Premier League amid links to Manchester United and Arsenal. The Germany international is set to be out of contract in the summer but has revealed he is in talks to extend his stay.
“We are in talks,” he said. “I feel comfortable in Munich. I feel really comfortable. Talks are very good. My focus is currently only on Bayern.”
“I follow Premier League football but the attraction for me lies in the club where I can show my best performance, develop and win titles,” he added. “I have that at Bayern.”
Alejandro Garnacho message
A difficult international break has seen Alejandro Garnacho play just 26 minutes for Argentina across two games. The United winger watched on from the bench as his nation defeated Peru 1-0 after making a brief cameo in a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay.
That could see some concerns about his position in Lionel Scaloni’s squad. The Argentina boss has looked to play down such suggestions however.
( Image: Diana Carrillo)
“I think that the moments of the matches, both for him and for [fellow youngster] Nico Paz, were not the same,” he explained in a press conference. “We know that.