Ruben Amorim hit back at suggestions it will be “humiliating” for him and Manchester United if Marcus Rashford shines on loan at Aston Villa. The forward’s move to Villa Park is expected to be confirmed on transfer deadline day (Monday).
When questioned about whether Rashford’s potential departure would help the club in their bid to sign a forward before the 11pm cut-off, Amorim responded: “We’ll see. There is one more day. Let’s wait until the window closes.”
Rashford is reportedly undergoing a medical ahead of his move to Villa, who are expected to shoulder at least 75 per cent of his hefty weekly wages exceeding £300,000.
Performance-related bonuses may push the figure to 90 per cent, with an option to buy reportedly set at £40million.
When quizzed if it will be humiliating should Rashford excel at Villa while United falter, Amorim dismissed such concerns: “Humiliating? It’s not embarrassing.
“When you loan a player – and I don’t think it’s official – you expect him to play and to improve, so there is nothing humiliating there.
“I understand the question, but I am just focused on my players, that’s all. When the window closes, I will be really focused on just our team and to improve our team.”
United suffered a disheartening loss to Crystal Palace and an injury to Lisandro Martinez on Sunday. The Red Devils’ defeat at Old Trafford, with Jean-Philippe Mateta netting twice for the Eagles, marked their 11th league loss this season, highlighting the extensive overhaul needed at the club.
Despite securing young talents like Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu and Arsenal’s Ayden Heaven, Amorim is eager for more signings before Monday’s deadline.
“We are trying everything to improve the team without doing mistakes of the past, and trying to balance the urgency of the moment,” stated the United head coach. “So, we know all of the aspects of our club in the moment, but we are trying everything.”
In a surprising tactical move, Kobbie Mainoo was deployed centrally in the match against Palace, leaving strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund on the bench.
United are considering Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku as they look to strengthen their attack with a move for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel having seemingly collapsed.
While Amorim avoided directly addressing Tel, he acknowledged the need for improvement within the team. The urgency for signings became evident against Palace after Martinez’s distressing exit on a stretcher.
The Argentine was visibly upset after injuring his left knee.
Amorim said: “Licha is really important for us, not just as a football player but the character he has, especially in this hard moment. Now it’s time for us to help Licha.
“I think it’s a bad situation. Let’s wait to assess things with the doctor, but I think it’s a serious situation.”