Ruben Amorim Faces Familiar Risk as He Targets Ex-Players for Manchester United Transfers
New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is reportedly eyeing several familiar faces from his Sporting Lisbon days, including PSG’s Nuno Mendes, in a bid to strengthen his squad. However, this strategy has sparked comparisons to Erik ten Hag’s ill-fated tendency to bring his former players to Old Trafford—an approach that ultimately backfired for the Dutchman.
Amorim’s early focus has reportedly turned to addressing United’s lack of depth at left wing-back. Injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have left the position exposed, prompting Amorim to target Mendes, who played under him during the 2021-22 season at Sporting. Mendes, now at PSG, initially impressed in Paris but has seen his playing time diminish over the past two seasons.
According to reports, Mendes is just one of three left-back options Amorim is considering, alongside Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. Mendes’ familiarity with Amorim’s style of play makes him an attractive option, but the potential move has raised concerns that Amorim may repeat mistakes made by his predecessor.
During Erik ten Hag’s tenure, the Dutch manager spent heavily on players he previously worked with at Ajax, including Brazilian winger Antony and goalkeeper Andre Onana. While Lisandro Martinez has shown glimpses of promise, Antony’s £85 million transfer proved underwhelming, with the winger scoring just 12 goals in 87 appearances. Similarly, other ex-Ajax signings failed to live up to expectations, contributing to Ten Hag’s eventual dismissal.
Amorim, aware of these pitfalls, has emphasized the need for a collaborative recruitment process. Speaking about his transfer philosophy, he said, “Everybody has to work together to improve recruitment, but the final word should be with the manager. I am the coach, and I know how we want to play. I have to choose players because, in the end, I am responsible for results.”
The Portuguese manager has also been linked with Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres and teenager Geovany Quenda, further fueling speculation about his inclination to lean on former players. While familiarity can ease transitions and ensure tactical alignment, history has shown that relying too heavily on known quantities can lead to stagnation or underperformance.
As the January transfer window approaches, Amorim must balance his desire for trusted talent with the need for fresh ideas. His ability to strike this balance could determine whether he establishes a lasting legacy at United or falls into the same traps as his predecessor. The pressure is on to ensure that every signing strengthens the squad while steering clear of past missteps.
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