Ruben Amorim says Manchester United’s summer transfer window will be hampered by financial fair play rules, and conceded they “won’t be allowed to do much” to strengthen their squad.
United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League following the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, and the loss of the accompanying financial windfall, means the club will have to be prudent in the market despite the obvious shortcomings in a playing staff that limped to a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League.
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Amorim and his players are currently on a post-season trip to South East Asia and the Portuguese admitted the next few weeks may not see the influx of new players many fans were hoping for.
He said: “We always prepared two plans, one with Champions League, one without Champions League.
“Without Champions League, we don’t need a big squad, we can control the squad in a better way, then we have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course, but our big plan is to improve the team that we have, is to improve our academy, that is the future, is not going to change so much.
“Because we have the FFP rules, we are not allowed to do much this summer. It’s important to stick together. We are going to struggle, it is not going to be everything right away but I see the team improving and that is the most important thing.”
Bruno is really important – Amorim
Reports have suggested every single United player is available at the right price with captain Bruno Fernandes a reported target for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Fernandes has been a shining light amid the gloom of the past few months and Amorim reiterated his desire to keep the Portugal midfielder at Old Trafford.
He added: “You can see by the performance, the leadership, the passion he has for the game, it’s really important. Especially in these kind of moments.
“In the last game [a 2-0 win over Aston Villa] the team was without pressure, they performed quite well, everybody wants the ball, the team has different moments and in different moments Bruno [Fernandes] takes responsibility.
“He’s really important for us and really important for what we want to build with this team.”
Cunha and Delap on transfer wishlist
It is believed United are close to signing Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and have expressed an interest in Ipswich striker Liam Delap – two moves that would take up a significant chunk of their summer budget.
Their potential arrivals would increase expectation but, when asked what his hopes were for next season, Amorim was playing his cards close to his chest.
“The target I will not tell you now,” Amorim added. “If you want a target, it is to win the first game and then we will see.
“We have a lot to do during this summer, we have to prepare the team but when you are Manchester United people are going to expect us to be at the top. But we have to understand the context. So I don’t want a team to think about a big target. Just a small target is to win the first game and then we pass to the second game.
“I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform well, to perform better, to prepare better for the games, to build that work that we need for the future. I think it’s a good thing for us to take advantage, not to have European games.”
United take on the ASEAN All-Stars tomorrow night.
