Financial Troubles Threaten Ruben Amorim Manchester United Rebuild

Unwanted Stars and Wasted Wages Leave United Stuck Ahead of Crucial Transfer Window

Manchester United might have landed their first major signing of the summer in Matheus Cunha, but beneath the surface, trouble is brewing. As new head coach Ruben Amorim looks to stamp his identity on the squad, the harsh reality is beginning to bite: United can’t spend until they sell.

Despite the Red Devils opening the transfer window with a splashy £62.5 million deal for Cunha, they are quickly discovering that ambition alone isn’t enough. Amorim is eager to bring in Bryan Mbeumo and Joao Palhinha as part of a sweeping overhaul, but the club’s financial leeway has dried up — strangled by a bloated wage bill and a dressing room full of high-earners who are no longer part of the club’s plans.

According to The Mirror, Amorim’s vision for United is being blocked not by a lack of ideas, but by the inability to offload players who are either unwanted, unmotivated, or unmoveable.

The Jadon Sancho Dilemma

At the heart of United’s problem lies Jadon Sancho. Once heralded as the prodigal wide man capable of transforming United’s attack, the £73 million signing from Borussia Dortmund has become a costly conundrum. Sancho’s £250,000-a-week wages have scared off most permanent suitors, leaving Juventus and Napoli only willing to negotiate a loan — something United are reluctant to accept again.

Sancho’s high salary isn’t just a block to his own move; it’s emblematic of the broader issue. The club is saddled with stars on top-level wages who have failed to live up to expectations. Offloading them is proving difficult in a post-COVID market where financial prudence is now the norm rather than the exception — even for Europe’s elite.

Rashford & Antony: Stalled Situations

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Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford’s situation is equally uncertain. The academy graduate was reportedly open to a move to Barcelona, but with the Catalan giants expected to focus their attention — and limited budget — on Nico Williams, a deal seems improbable. United are open to listening to offers for Rashford, but there are few concrete takers at present.

Antony, fresh off a positive loan stint at Real Betis, has generated some interest. Bayer Leverkusen and newly promoted Como have both been linked, but the player himself has made it clear he only wants to return to Betis. Unfortunately for United, Betis don’t have the funds to finance a permanent deal. Another loan seems likely — a move that won’t help United raise funds or reduce the wage bill significantly.

The 25-year-old winger was once seen as a key figure under Erik ten Hag, but after underwhelming performances and off-field concerns, the club is keen to move on. Whether they can is another matter entirely.

Hojlund Wants to Stay — But United Might Think Twice

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One player United might have expected to cash in on is Rasmus Hojlund, but the Danish striker appears to be digging in. The 22-year-old has made it clear he wants to stay and fight for his place under Amorim. A proposed loan-to-buy deal from Inter Milan has collapsed, and unless a major offer arrives, he’ll be part of the squad for the 2024-25 campaign.

Still, if a sizeable bid — in the region of £50-60 million — were to arrive, the club would reportedly be tempted. Amorim rates Hojlund’s potential, but may prefer to invest in a more physically robust and tactically flexible front man if funds become available.

Amorim’s Rebuild Hinges on Outgoings

Make no mistake, Ruben Amorim has bold plans for Manchester United. The Portuguese coach has already impressed the Old Trafford hierarchy with his clear tactical vision and no-nonsense approach. But implementing that vision depends heavily on being able to generate funds through player sales.

With just one major arrival so far and several targets on standby, United’s activity has hit a bottleneck. Palhinha is believed to be keen on a Premier League return and sees United as a desirable destination, but Fulham’s asking price remains steep. Mbeumo is also admired for his versatility and pressing ability, but won’t come cheap.

Without a few significant exits, those deals are unlikely to move forward.

The Clock is Ticking

United’s recruitment department is now racing against time to clear space. Reports suggest Alejandro Garnacho’s name has been floated as a high-value asset, but Amorim is adamant the young Argentine will stay. Garnacho is seen as a cornerstone of the new project, a player to be built around — not sold to fund others.

The club’s current transfer paralysis is a hangover from the previous regime, where a lack of planning and inflated salaries created a bloated, inflexible squad. Amorim and INEOS, the new minority owners with significant control over sporting decisions, are learning that undoing years of mismanagement doesn’t happen overnight.

What Comes Next?

There is no doubt about it — United are at a critical juncture. After another season of mediocrity, the club is crying out for change, and Amorim is the man entrusted with delivering it. But to do so, the club must find a way to move on from the past, both emotionally and financially.

Sancho, Antony, and Rashford represent expensive missteps — some more tragic than others — and if United want to move forward, those chapters need to be closed. The problem is that no one seems to want to read them anymore.

Until the club can trim the fat, Amorim’s ambitious rebuild remains stuck in first gear. The fans are ready for a new era. The manager is ready to lead it. Now, it’s up to the front office to deliver the exits that will open the doors to the future.