Ruben Amorim in worrying admission to Manchester United fans regarding January transfer window

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has told fans that the club are unlikely to make any signing this window.

The window opened on Thursday with teams able to buy or sell players between now and 7pm on February 2.

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However, the Portuguese boss has admitted that there have been ‘no conversations’ regarding new signings this month.

The concerning revelation comes just days after United were held to a 1-1 draw against bottom of the table Wolves – leaving them in sixth spot.

Joshua Zirkzee put United ahead midway through the first half before Ladislav Krejci headed the Midlands side level shortly before the break.

Amorim was unable to call upon a number of players for the stalemate, notably Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui owing to Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was also missing due to injury, as were centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim forced to use academy stars Jack Fletcher and Bendito Mantato due to a lengthy absentee list.

And speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash against Leeds, Amorim was asked whether the possibility of securing Champions League football would influence United’s approach to the transfer window.

Mor bad news

“The transfer window is not going to change,” Amorim bluntly replied despite being linked with a January move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.

“We have no conversation to have any change in the squad, there is a process, there is an idea.

“We are near the Champions League places, but we also near eight teams behind us, so let’s focus on the next game.”

Amorim has previously hinted at discord between himself and United’s Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, over Christmas when he discussed strengthening the squad in January.

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Speaking ahead of games against Newcastle and Wolves, Amorim said: “I think we are doing things; sometimes I have one idea, Jason and the board has another idea but every decision we make, we need to reach a common ground.

“That is really important because you don’t need to make everything for the manager because the manager can change and then you need to change everything. But you also need to understand (that) the manager understands the way of playing.”

The United boss then suggested he’d have little to spend in the January window following a summer splurge, adding: “I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time.

“So, I’m starting to understand that that is not going to happen. So, maybe I have to adapt.”

Squad goals

Amorim’s January window admission suggests that a number of wantaway stars will remain at Old Trafford beyond the winter.

Kobbie Mainoo, Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte have all been linked with a move away from United this month, though the latter pair have featured more frequently in recent weeks due to the absence of key players.

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Mainoo, meanwhile, is hoping to leave the club in January in a bid to rescue his slim 2026 World Cup hopes.

The England international is yet to start a Premier League game this season, with all 11 top-flight outings coming from the bench.

The 20-year-old had hoped to leave the club over the summer having dropped down the midfield pecking order, though his request was rebuffed by the club.

Italian side Napoli have been credited with an interest in Mainoo, while Serie A side Roma had reportedly eyed a move for Zirkzee.

Yet when asked whether Mainoo, Zirkzee, Ugarte, or any other fringe players, had requested to leave in January, Amorim stated: “No, none of them. I don’t expect them to come to me to ask anything.”

United will hope to return to winning ways when they take on rivals Leeds this weekend.

Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves means United have now won only only three of their last ten league matches and have lost ground in the race to secure a top four finish as a result.