With a tough home test against promoted Newcastle United on the horizon, Reuben AmorimAttack options are already diminishing Manchester United She looks ready to be more exhausted.
The former Sporting Lisbon coach will be without his captain, Bruno Fernandesfor the visit of the Magpies, following the red card received by his compatriot at Molineux, while Marcus Rashford's exile appears likely to continue amid a four-match absence for the Englishman.
With Mason Mount also injured for the Manchester derby, Amorim will be left to choose between Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony and Amad Diallo to operate in those two No. 10 positions.
However, Garnacho was ruled out of the trip to the Etihad just a few weeks ago Register only once Under the leadership of the new president against Bodo Glimt – while Anthony does He was only scored once all season.
The onus then falls on Amad to create some magic for the Red Devils, although the Ivorian magician could certainly do with some help in the January window.
Amad's rise at Manchester United
Eyebrows were raised again in October 2020 as reports emerged that United were willing to reach an agreement Fees amounting to £37 million To sign a raw teenager from Atalanta. This player, at that time, had only participated in five matches for the Italian League team.
Upon his final arrival in Manchester in January 2021, it's fair to say that Imad took time to make his mark, albeit while scoring his first goal for the club with a deft header against Milan at the end of that campaign.
Comparisons with a certain Lionel Messi It had been up in the air since his days at Bergamo, although United pleaded for patience, eventually sending the winger on loan to Rangers in January 2022, before another temporary spell at Sunderland was secured the following season.
With injury affecting much of the 2023/24 season for the 22-year-old under Erik Ten Hag – apart from his notable goal in the FA Cup against Liverpool – it looked as if it would never happen for Amad at Old Trafford. However, after a few months, the diminutive talent is now the man of the moment.
A strong pre-season was followed by a rare run of games under Ten Hag, producing notable highs such as the opener against Brighton & Hove Albion, although it was not until Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed caretaker that Amad began to flourish, having scored a goal. Twice and recorded one assist in just four matches under the Dutchman.
|
Imad was registered at Manchester United by the coach |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
boss |
games |
Objectives |
Helps |
Minutes played |
|
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer |
8 |
1 |
1 |
329 |
|
Michael Carrick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ralph Rangnick |
1 |
0 |
0 |
68 |
|
Erik ten Hag |
24 |
3 |
2 |
1058 |
|
Ruud van Nistelrooy |
4 |
2 |
1 |
217 |
|
Reuben Amorim |
10 |
2 |
5 |
731 |
|
the total |
47 |
8 |
9 |
2403 |
That momentum was maintained under Amorim, as it took just over a minute for the left-footed player to make his mark on Ipswich Town, bursting in from the right before setting up Rashford with a somewhat cross pass. When your luck is in.
This was followed by four assists and two goals – including Which Derby winner – with Amad's rise evident in his place in the standings ahead of both Rashford and Garnacho.
He seems well-suited to one of the roles behind the striker, which the 5-foot-8 sensation can do with a suitable partner alongside him. Cue the January window.
Manchester United is looking for a playmaker
It must be said that money is likely to be tight at Old Trafford in the new year, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's string of meager budget cuts signaling a quiet window in terms of revenues.
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However, a potential deal opportunity may arise before too long The Times reported earlier this week United are among the clubs on a “red alert” in Barcelona's case Dani Olmo becomes available.
The financial constraints facing the Catalans mean there is a chance the Spain international could leave on a free transfer in January, if the club prove unable to sign him. Any exit would be quick, considering the 26-year-old, a La Masia player, only returned to Camp Nou in a £51m deal over the summer.
With Manchester City and Arsenal also in the frame, getting a deal beyond the limit for the former Leipzig player could be difficult, but there is every reason to suggest he would be a worthwhile investment.
What will Dani Olmo bring to Manchester United?
While injury and eligibility have been a factor in Olmo's season being halted at times, the playmaker is still able to make his mark for Hansi Flick's side. He scored five goals In only 11 matches in the Spanish League.
In the Champions League, the one-time Dinamo Zagreb star has also registered one goal and one assist in four matches, with this impressive form coming off a standout campaign at Euro 2024, where he contributed three goals and two assists on his way to Los Angeles. Roja's glorious victory.
Capable of playing as a No. 10, or on the flanks, Olmo looks ready for Amorim's 3-4-3 formation, and not least as well. I played in this system During his days in Germany under Julian Nagelsmann.
It could then be argued that the Red Devils missed a trick by not signing him sooner, with former United star Louis Saha suggesting in September, while insisting the Barcelona man was in a difficult situation.Similar family to Bruno Fernandes“.
Playmaking and goal-scoring presence like Fernandes – it shows 63 goals and assists in 148 matches For Leipzig – Olmo could represent the ideal replacement or successor to the Portuguese, with the opportunity for the United captain to also drop into the second midfield.
In essence, operating Olmo behind the striker would be akin to using the right-footed Amad, with the pair being statistically similar players among those in their position across Europe's top five leagues. According to FBref.
In fact, Olmo averages 0.72 goals and assists per game in 2024/25 so far, while Imad trails just behind, averaging 0.68 in this regard. Likewise, the duo are also similar in their off-the-ball work, with Olmo Ranking in top 17% across Europe in terms of tackles made in the past 365 days, while United are just ahead of him. Ranks in the top 3% in this regard.
This similarity can also be seen in their ability to beat a man from the side using the olmo An average of 1.4 successful dribbles per match In the Spanish League this season while Imad Averages 1.5 for the same scale In the Premier League. It certainly bodes well for what the Barcelona man can bring to the Theater of Dreams to help bolster Amorim's creative and attacking options.
Having previously signed this man Fernandes in the January window in 2020, the Red Devils could repeat that trick with another statement signing in 2025.
