Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Fri 8 August 2025 18:00, UK

Ruben Amorim apparently should have learned a thing or two from rival manager Pep Guardiola as the Man United boss attempts to rebuild his squad.

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Amorim spent much of last season under pressure at United, with his team eventually finishing 15th in the Premier League table while also losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Since then, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has splashed the cash on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, with Benjamin Sesko‘s impending arrival taking their spending to above the £200million mark for the summer.

With Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund failing to impress, and the latter likely to leave Man United over the coming weeks, it was imperative to rebuild the forward line ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

(Credit: Imago)

However, Stan Collymore believes Amorim should have taken a leaf out of the Man City boss’ book when it comes to balancing the squad when beginning a total rebuild at a club.

Writing in his Caught Offside column (8 August), Collymore said: “I genuinely think that they needed to prioritise defensive reinforcements.

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“Look at what Pep Guardiola did when he first went into Man City.

He made a number of big signings in defence, and also replaced Joe Hart.



Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media

“I wonder if that is the route that Amorim should have taken, rather than spend £200m on three attacking players, because it will be difficult to get defenders or a new goalkeeper in now.”

Football Insider verdict

Supporters are extremely excited about their new star-studded attack in the Premier League, but Collymore does present a sound point about the Red Devils’ defence heading into the new season.

While youngsters Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven have impressed since coming in, it has not been enough to stabilise the back line, with United only conceding fewer goals than eight teams last term.

Although data may show Andre Onana to be a better goalkeeper than Gianluigi Donnarumma, there are still concerns over the current shot-stopper, who is facing a race against time to be fit against Arsenal.

(Credit Imago)

And with all the signings, United still have Amorim’s “bomb squad” of Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, and Antony to deal with before the summer transfer window slams shut.

A deal for Marcus Rashford has already been sealed, but with the England international joining Barcelona on a season-long loan, the club have only delayed the inevitable when it comes to him.

There is plenty of business still to do at Old Trafford, and very little time left to get it done, and if Amorim is to be a success at the club, he may have to copy a thing or two off his rival manager.

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