Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Ruben Amorim Says there are currently no conversations about transfer business in January as absentee United prepare for Sunday’s trip to hostilities leeds.
The Red Devils have reached Prime Minister Ranked sixth in the league mid-range points, only three points behind liverpool in the final Champions League points, but there’s a nagging feeling that they should have done better.
Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to bottom side Wolves was one of United’s missed opportunities, but Amorim said he remains “very confident” about how the second half of the season will go after that setback.
But the Portuguese now say there won’t be any major reinforcements this month, just two weeks after saying “we’ll see” if anything happens.
“The transfer window will not change,” Amorim said. “We have not had any conversations about making any changes to the lineup at this time.
“There is a process, there is an idea that will continue.
“We’re close to a Champions League spot but we’re also close to being eight teams behind, so let’s focus on the next game. That’s it. Our focus is on winning the next game.”
United have been interested in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenho, who currently appears to be on the verge of a move to Manchester City, while Joshua Zirkzee and Kobe Mainu have also been linked with exits in January.
Asked if any players had knocked on the door and asked to leave, Amorim said: “No, no. I don’t think they’re coming to me to ask anything.”
Despite Amorim’s comments downplaying activity in January, there is bound to be transfer speculation ahead of United’s busy month against rivals Leeds United.
A daunting afternoon awaits a team that looks set to be without eight players as injuries compound the absence of Africa Cup of Nations trio Amad Diallo, Brian Mbemo and Nussel Mazrawi.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Mainu are all missing, while defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire have also missed recent games.
“There’s no different problem,” Amorim said. “We will see the results tomorrow. We have one more training session. I don’t think anyone will recover, but we will see the results.”
The problems will make life even more difficult for Leeds, who are unbeaten in six games and seeking a first win at home against their bitter rivals since September 2002.
Amorim has heard it’s a “big derby, good environment” and believes they have the wherewithal to deal with a volatile Elland Road side, even if he has to call on academy players as he has done in recent games.
“Of course we will take everything into consideration, but they need to be prepared,” he said. “You can see the lineup. It’s impossible … you can’t move players that we don’t have at the moment.”
“But of course, I try to prepare a team for that situation and then I try to read the game and try to understand what I should do to help them win the game.
“They have to (deal with the atmosphere). It’s a game in a hostile environment but they need to be ready and they need to experience that.
“But it’s going to be difficult for any player, even the experienced ones.
“But we already experienced this last year in Bilbao (in the Europa League semi-finals). The sound was fantastic, so I know it feels completely different, but they need to be ready.”