One of the most frustrating parts of the breakdown in relations between Ruben Amorim and Manchester United behind the scenes was transfer pushback.
As we know, the Portuguese pushed for Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa to be his new No 1, only for the board to press ahead with a deal for Senne Lammens, and the same goes for his preference for Ollie Watkins over Benjamin Sesko.
Head of recruitment Christopher Vivell pushed for Sesko and ultimately age and potential won out.
Nuno Mendes was Amorim’s No 1 pick for left wing-back but he remained at Paris Saint-Germain and United went for Patrick Dorgu at Lecce.
But Confidential understands Amorim’s frustrations also focused on being knocked back for multiple players at his former club Sporting Lisbon, specifically Geovany Quenda, Ousmane Diomande, Salvador Blopa and Morten Hjulmand.
Sources close to the manager explain that Amorim did not feel support from key figures at the club, particularly regarding the vision for the transfer market.
Ruben Amorim recommended his old pupil Geovany Quenda to Manchester United, but he ended up signing for Chelsea instead
Centre back Ousmane Diomande’s physical profile was one of the main reasons Amorim wanted to bring him to Old Trafford
Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand was a player Amorim saw as filling a much-needed hole in the midfield and someone he did not need to explain his tactical ideas to
Quenda’s camp spent weeks in talks with United, only for the Portuguese youngster to agree a deal with Chelsea, who he will join this summer. Sources at United have stressed that Quenda’s similar profile to Amad meant that interest eventually fizzled out.
Diomande’s physical profile was of huge appeal to Amorim, while Blopa was another he lobbied for to no avail.
Hjulmand was a player Amorim saw as filling a much-needed hole in the midfield and someone he did not need to explain his tactical ideas to. Again, the United hierarchy had other targets in mind to overhaul the midfield this coming summer.
Amorim’s tenure will not be remembered fondly due to the nature of results, but figures close to the ousted head coach are pointing to the market and wondering why there was so much pushback – when so many reinforcements were needed to make his 3-4-2-1 system work.
Amorim’s swift exit
There is a harsh reality to life as a football manager – or head coach in the case of Amorim – and it was apparent again when the 40-year-old was summoned to Carrington and…