It’s fair to say that Ruben Amorim has not had the impact he would have hoped for at Manchester United since his arrival at the club back in November.
The team currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table, and Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat against Fulham ended their defence of the FA Cup at the fifth round stage. Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Amorim outlined his ambition at the club.
"The goal is to win the Premier League. I know that we are losing games, but the goal is to win the Premier League again," he said.
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"I don't know how long it will take. We have a goal, and we continue forward no matter what. It's impossible to know, but you start understanding the players are better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future."
To reach that goal, the United boss is likely to need serious investment over the next few transfer windows. He may, however, be hampered by the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs), meaning that exits are likely to be needed before big fees are spent on incomings. Two transfer decisions made in the window may now help United in that regard.
The winter window saw United loan out two forwards in Marcus Rashford and Antony. The former joined Aston Villa, while the latter moved on a temporary deal to Spanish side Real Betis.
Both players have so far impressed with their performances for their respective loan sides. While Rashford is yet to get on the scoresheet for Villa, he has provided three assists in his last three games for the club, turning provider for Marco Asensio.
Antony, meanwhile, has scored three times and provided two assists in his seven appearances for Real Betis. He played 90 minutes of the weekend’s 2-1 La Liga win over Real Madrid.
While the impact of both players may leave United fans asking questions about why they were let go in the window, it can also be seen as a positive heading into the summer window. There was no evidence that either player would have a similar impact at United, with maybe a change of scenery instead helping them.
Villa have a £40 million option in Rashford’s deal to make the move permanent in the summer. Should he keep up his performances, then the club are likely to take up that option.
There is no option in Antony’s deal with Real Betis, but his performances are bound to make the club want to make the deal permanent when the window opens. If not Betis, then it’s likely to catch another club’s eye and prompt them to make a move.
While United may not get back close to the £86 million they paid to Ajax for the winger in 2022, some reports suggest that the club are looking for a £41 million fee for the player in the summer. It’s a figure they could get close to if he continues to impress in Spain.
Therefore, sending both players out on loan instead of either sitting on the bench or in the stands at Old Trafford for the second half of the season could raise as much as £80 million for Amorim in the summer window. That money would come as a big boost in terms of raising funds for potential incomings.
