2
Manchester United’s incoming manager would not be allowed to sell three players, including Rasmus Højlund, as per reports.
Getting rid of Erik ten Hag after the start of the season was always going to pose problems for INEOS, as it is all the more difficult to convince a top manager to jump ship mid-campaign.
However, multiple reports suggest Ruben Amorim has “verbally agreed” to leave Sporting Lisbon, who are flying in the Liga Portugal, having won all of their opening nine games this term.
Amorim is credited with transforming Sporting’s playing style as well as their recruitment strategy, focused on combining academy products with high potential young talents from elsewhere.
It remains to be seen how much control the United board are willing to give Amorim to implement his philosophy at Old Trafford. However, a report suggests he is unlikely to have any say in the future of three Red Devils.
According to The Guardian, the new manager will have a limited budget to strengthen the squad in the January transfer.
The report further states: “Although the manager will not have to sell to buy, profitability and sustainability rules mean the books will need to be balanced via sales if he wants to spend more lavishly.”
Manchester United have three untouchable stars
However, Højlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Kobbie Mainoo are “ringfenced as not for sale.”
The Denmark international has struggled to cement his place in the United starting lineup ever since his move from Atalanta last summer.
Still, from time to time, Højlund has produced special moments, underlining just why the club’s hierarchy continue to place their trust in his potential.
Considering how well Viktor Gyökeres, who is of a similar profile to Højlund, has done under Amorim at Sporting, United fans may finally see the best of the 21-year-old on a more frequent basis.
It is understood that academy graduates Mainoo and Garnacho are also considered untouchable. However, it remains to be seen if Amorim or whoever replaces Ten Hag would start the young pair regularly, akin to the Dutch coach.