Manchester United fans have been left frustrated as the club exits the transfer window with even fewer attacking options than they had at the start.
Manchester United fans have been left frustrated as the club exits the transfer window with even fewer attacking options than they had at the start.
Head coach Ruben Amorim made a bold call by offloading Marcus Rashford, sending the 27-year-old on loan to Aston Villa, where United will still be covering at least 75% of his wages.
His decision to deploy teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine in the 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace—over more traditional strikers like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee—speaks volumes about his lack of faith in the attacking options available.
United’s transfer activity, or lack thereof, has only reinforced their diminished standing. Once considered a financial powerhouse, the club now operates under strict financial constraints, limited by Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Any high-profile signing would have required an equally significant sale.
There were even discussions about selling academy stars Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho to create financial flexibility, though Amorim ultimately held onto both. The one major positive was a new five-and-a-half-year contract for promising 22-year-old Amad Diallo.
The only major arrival was Lecce’s 20-year-old Danish defender, Patrick Dorgu, in a deal potentially worth £29m. Additionally, they managed to secure England Under-19s defender Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.
Few at Old Trafford will be upset about Antony’s loan move to Real Betis. Signed for £81m from Ajax in 2022 under Erik ten Hag, the Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the club’s worst signings in recent history.
Overall, this has been an uninspiring transfer window that mirrors United’s disappointing season. Currently sitting 13th in the Premier League, with five defeats in their last six home games, there is little to spark optimism among the fanbase.
While critics argue the club should have been more aggressive in the market, United’s management will counter that reckless spending in the past is precisely what led to their current predicament.
For now, it seems the remainder of the season will be about damage control, with fans hoping Amorim can make more meaningful changes when the summer window opens.
