Ruben Amorim sent a clear transfer message to Manchester United’s hierarchy following the drab pre-season friendly against Leeds United.
The Red Devils began their summer preparations on Saturday in Stockholm against their old rivals, in a match that left a lot to be desired.
The game ended goalless with both sides lacking cutting edge in the final-third but there were some positives for United, with summer arrivals Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon looking lively.
Those two are United’s only major signings so far this transfer window, though Bryan Mbeumo will be joining from Brentford shortly in a deal worth £71million.
However, it is clear more additions are needed if the club want to get back on track and after the friendly, Amorim highlighted a key area of the pitch that needs improving:
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‘It was a pre-season game. The gaps between our sectors was sometimes too big,’ the Portuguese head coach said.
‘We have a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park and you can feel it is hard to win and bring the ball. But we created chances.’
Veteran Casemiro and youngster Toby Collyer started in midfield together, though captain Bruno Fernandes often dropped deep, allowing the latter to push higher up the pitch.
Amorim changed his entire team for the second-half, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield, supported by Mason Mount.
None of them were able to really impose themselves on the pitch however, with possession split 50/50 over the course of the 90 minutes.
United’s focus this summer has been on attacking signings, but Amorim’s comments were more than an obvious hint that midfield reinforcements are what he wants next.
The club have been linked with a few players in this position, including Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso, Valencia’s Javi Guerra and PSG ace Fabian Ruiz.
Ruben Amorim rates Matheus Cunha’s debut
Amorim was otherwise pretty positive on his team’s performance despite the result and believes the best is yet to come for his £62m purchase from Wolves:
‘I think Matheus Cunha showed what we need. That he is a player when he receives the ball between the lines can be really aggressive in the direction of the opponents.
‘We watched that during last season in a different team so we expect the same thing. Of course you can see the connection between him and Bruno is still not there but it’s going to be a good connection.’
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