Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has defended the club’s decision to opt against signing a new striker in the January transfer window. The Red Devils offloaded Marcus Rashford and Antony on loan without recruiting a replacement amid financial restrictions and a greater focus on the summer.
It leaves Amorim with just 35 career Premier League goals among his current forward options, causing concern about his hopes of improving a dismal season so far.
Only Everton and the top-flight’s bottom three clubs have scored fewer goals than United’s 28 in 24 games this term, and the Portuguese boss accepts he has taken a risk.
“What I feel is that the club is taking its time,” Amorim explained in his press conference on Thursday.
“We know the urgency of the moment of the team; everybody here doesn’t want to make the same mistakes of the past.
“In the summer, we will see. But like I said, we are being really careful with transfers because we made some mistakes in the past.”
He added: “I think thisis a moment that is hard to turn things around in just a few games. It’s going to be like that, really hard until the end of the season.
“We are taking that risk you talk about; we want a different thing in the team, profiles, in that area, it was my decision to do that [not sign anyone]. We are taking some risks, but this is the way we want to proceed.”
United have splurged £108.5million in the last two summer transfer windows to sign Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
However, both are struggling for goals this season, which prompted Amorim to start Kobbie Mainoo as the spearhead of his team in Sunday’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
Another new striker is widely expected to be among United’s top priorities at the end of the season, with Viktor Gyokeres reportedly at the top of the wish list.
The 26-year-old established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers under Amorim at Sporting, and i claim that the M16 giants considered an attempt to sign him in January.
But it’s claimed that Sporting would’ve demanded £83m to part ways this winter, while he is set to be available for just £60m in a few months.
Amorim will expect to remain at the helm for the summer, no matter how ugly this season gets, and he is confident the risk will ultimately pay off.
“That is clear [I’m under pressure], but it is also exciting. I knew when I chose this profession that you have the risk of results, and I knew when I came here,” the 40-year-old explained.
“I looked at the schedule, I looked at the team, and my decision to change everything in the middle of the season without new signings is a danger for a coach.
“But I have a clear idea of what I want to do, and I take these risks because, in the end, it’s going to pay off.
“But I’m not naive. I have said that many times. This is a sport of results, and we are in a difficult situation.”