Manchester United showed their full focus is now on the Europa League with a defeat to Wolves on Sunday, though boss Ruben Amorim is also looking towards the summer transfer window
Manchester United’s season hit a fresh low on Sunday when they were beaten by Wolves. The Midlands side appeared dead and buried earlier this campaign before sacking Gary O’Neil in December.
But their win at Old Trafford means they are now level on points with the Red Devils, behind them only on goal difference. United are putting their full focus into the Europa League, having reached the semi-finals of that competition.
Boss Ruben Amorim also has at least half an eye on the summer transfer window when he can finally begin his overhaul of a badly under-performing squad. Top of his shopping list is a new striker.
While Ipswich’s Liam Delay is thought to be his main target, Amorim has also grown interested in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. The England international is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League.
But he has shown signs of unhappiness at manager Unai Emery for failing to hand him enough gametime against PSG. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Manchester United news.
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Watkins responds to offer
Manchester United are considering offering Marcus Rashford plues a cash payment to Aston Villa in exchange for Ollie Watkins. The Englishman has risen up United’s list of targets amid suggestions he may not be happy at Villa Park.
The chance to join United would be something Watkins may be interested in him. The striker is looking to ensure regular football this summer, either at Villa or at a new club.
United are in desperate need Ruben Amorim is in desperate need of a new striker this summer after watching poor displays in front of goal from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee – who have six Premier League goals between them this season.
Amorim defends Hojlund
Ruben Amorim defended struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund after United’s defeat to Wolves. Hojlund struggled once again having started Sunday’s clash and was hauled off with 20 minutes to go.
“Our team should score more goals,” said Amorim. “But it’s not just Rasmus missing chances, it’s all of the team. If you look at the game, we have several players that missed big chances, not just Rasmus. But for Rasmus, the game is to score goals, because he’s a striker.
“He needs to score a goal. He needs to score one – maybe that’s all a striker needs. We have an idea of what this team needs, but also we play with three guys up front who can score goals. The midfielders and all of the team needs to score more goals.”
Bayindir snub explained
Altay Bayindir out of his matchday squad to face Wolves on Sunday due to “rotation”, Ruben Amorim has insisted. The Turkish keeper started last week’s hammering at Newcastle and was on the bench for the epic win over Lyon.
But the 27-year-old was not named in the squad at all on Sunday, with Tom Heaton serving as back-up instead. Amorim though has insisted it was normal and simply down to “squad rotation”.
He added: “That’s the idea [to protect players and give minutes to others]. That is not our focus. Our focus is to win games. Of course we need to protect players from this sequence, thinking about the Europa League also but we need to have more points on the table.”
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