Thursday’s convincing win over Real Sociedad has ensured that Manchester United will return from the international break later this month with something still left to fight for, with Lyon next on the agenda in their battle for Europa League glory.
As manager Ruben Amorim has stated, however, triumphing in the competition – and securing Champions League qualification – would not be enough to “save” United’s season, with the team still languishing in 13th in the Premier League table.
This largely wretched campaign has ensured that the upcoming summer window will be vitally important once again for the Red Devils, with the pressure on for the INEOS regime to get it right on the recruitment front.
As per recent reports, the Old Trafford hierarchy are already looking ahead to the end of the campaign and potential moves that can be made in the market to help strengthen Amorim’s hand, with CEO Omar Berrada outlining the desire to target versatile players who can play in “multiple positions”.
The transfer rumour mill will, unsurprisingly, begin to churn out numerous names regarding those who could end up in Manchester, although one player who definitely won’t be making the switch is Amorim’s former Sporting CP prodigy, Geovany Quenda.
Why Man Utd have missed out on Geovany Quenda
As Erik ten Hag showcased more than most, there is a theme of managers looking to bring in players that they know and trust, with the Dutchman frequently turning to his former Ajax assets, such as Andre Onana, Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
The expectation will be for Amorim to follow suit at some stage, with reports having been rife ever since the 40-year-old joined the club that he will be followed by Swedish goal machine, Viktor Gyokeres.
Reports in January – as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein – also claimed that United were looking at a potential summer deal for the aforementioned Quenda, with the 17-year-old having been handed his debut by Amorim earlier in the campaign.
A reunion looked almost inevitable, although, as it has proved, top-flight rivals Chelsea have now pounced to sign the teenager, with the Portuguese superstar set to join the Blues in 2026, after signing on a £40m deal.
The manner in which the Stamford Bridge side quietly pulled off that transfer coup has certainly surprised a few, albeit with journalist Samuel Luckhurst reporting that United never actually lodged a bid, with talks having also only gone as far as ‘informal discussions’.
As Luckhurst also revealed, the signing of fellow left-footer Patrick Dorgu may have impacted that pursuit, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming that Chelsea have edged ahead after offering Quenda a future as an out-and-out forward, rather than in the wing-back role he would likely play under Amorim.
As it is, United will likely have to look elsewhere to pep up their options on the flanks, although – on recent evidence – Amorim may have stumbled across the perfect academy solution.
The Man Utd sensation would could save INEOS millions
Time and again the youth ranks have represented something of a saviour for the Red Devils, be it Marcus Rashford’s rise in 2016 under Louis van Gaal, or Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence under Erik ten Hag.
It is still early days, yet Amorim has already showcased that he is more than willing to follow that trend, with chances having been afforded to the likes of Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer in recent times.
The latest academy starlet to force his way into the first-team picture is 18-year-old, Harry Amass, with the promising Englishman having featured off the bench against Leicester City last time out.
21 minutes played
30 touches
91% pass accuracy
2/6 ground duels won
1/1 aerial duels won
10x possession lost
0/1 crosses completed
1 interception
2 tackles
1 clearance
Tipped to be “Luke Shaw’s successor” by journalist Alex Turk – with Shaw himself highlighting his compatriot as a player to watch – Amass has arguably been long overdue a senior role, after notably shining during the club’s pre-season tour last summer.
The teenager – who featured against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal back in July – was praised by Ten Hag for making “big steps” during that period, albeit having been unable to kick on since then with regard to first-team opportunities.
Reports even suggested a loan move was potentially on the cards for Amass in January, although having made the matchday squad in recent times, the “powerful” talent – as hailed by MUTV pundit Danny Webber – has finally been rewarded with that late cameo against the Foxes.
The former Watford youth product will need time to bed in, although he could potentially emerge as a bargain solution to missing out on Quenda, with there a chance that Dorgu could move over to the right flank to accommodate Amass, or vice-versa.
Described as “perfect” for the wing-back role in Amorim’s system by analyst Ben Mattinson – who also reflected on what was a “very impressive pre-season” – Amass will aim to build on his form at youth level, where he has chalked up four assists in just 16 U21 games.
Also a key part of the U18 side that has reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals, the 5 foot 11 gem could well be a star of the future at Old Trafford.
If all goes to plan, both Amorim and INEOS will be quickly forgetting the name Quenda…
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