Ruben Amorim says Manchester United have implemented a new ‘rule’ that will be ‘massive’ in helping decide which players the club should pursue in the transfer market going forward.
The Red Devils have signalled their intent after finishing last season with their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for a combined transfer fee of over £133million this summer.
But United’s hierarchy are determined to further strengthen Amorim’s misfiring attack before the transfer deadline and have set their sights on signing a centre-forward capable of scoring the goals the squad so badly lacked last term.
While Viktor Gyokeres had been placed at the top of United’s wishlist, the club were eventually forced to concede defeat as Arsenal wrapped up a deal with Sporting for the prolific Swede.
In turn, the Old Trafford giants have whittled their shortlist down to just two names, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, 22, and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, 29, two strikers with entirely different profiles.
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Sesko has reportedly emerged as United’s priority up front, but it will likely require an offer in excess of £70million to lure the sought-after Slovenian to the Theatre of Dreams.
With speculation continuing to swirl over potential new additions, Amorim explained – in a wide-ranging interview with United’s in-house media team – how the club were now placing a greater emphasis on ‘character’ following a string of high-profile transfer mistakes down the years.
‘It’s a key point in our way of doing things now. It’s not just how they play,’ the United head coach explained.
‘It’s really important how they play, of course, because that is the job, but the character is really important and we took a lot of time to know the players, to talk with everybody before we bring some players to our group.
‘That is going to be like a rule and it’s going to be massive in our decision when we bring the player.’
According to Amorim, there has been a noticeable change when it comes to the ‘culture’ the dressing room, with his squad looking to put their wretched 2024/25 campaign in the past.
‘I think that is clear. That’s something not just the coaches, the manager and the players can change, everyone can. And I think everyone is changing at our club,’ the Portuguese added.
‘You can feel it in the environment. They are starting to believe that, of course, the results will dictate a lot, but we have a clear idea, everyone has a clear job now. I think everything is in the right place for us to be better.
‘It’s sad to talk about that [exactly how the culture has changed] in this moment because it seems like I’m saying bad things about the last year or the last years.
‘But in every detail, I think we are better in the organisation of the day-to-day, the nutrition is better, the way we cook, what we eat, how we prepare training.
‘I think we are more organised, I think we have people now who help us to be better. I’m not concerned with small things and I was in the last year.
‘So that helps me to think more about watching the game, watching the team, so it’s a big help for me and when it’s a big help for the technical staff, it’s a big help for the players.
‘Then, I think the players are working really well and they understand they need to give 100 per cent. If they don’t give that, it’s going to be hard for them here and that’s also important.’
Cunha has made an immediate impression with his attitude in training and Amorim believes the the Brazilian has certain ‘characteristics’ that the squad ‘missed’ last term.
‘I cannot use the words that I used in public, but he’s a loud guy and that is really important in this moment,’ he continued.
‘When he’s upset, you can feel it in the environment and that is also good, especially when he plays some games and loses, he’s a different guy and that is also good.
‘He has characteristics that we missed last season so I’m really happy with him and the other guys.’
The United boss has been encouraged by what he has seen from his players on their pre-season tour of the United States and is confident his squad are ‘giving everything’ to get off on the right foot next term.
‘They are in my image so I can be happier when the team performs well,’ he went on.
‘Sometimes you can perform well in certain things and still play badly, but I think they are giving everything and that is the most important thing. I’m really happy with that.’
The Red Devils are yet to be defeated in pre-season, starting out with a goalless draw with Leeds United in Stockholm, before getting the better of both West Ham and Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series.
Amorim’s men return to action for their third and final match of the series against Everton at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday night.
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