Transfer Notebook: How Amorim annoyed bosses before Man United axe, freed Mainoo makes exit U-turn, Semenyo says final farewell

Ruben Amorim’s public criticism of his players played a part in his brutal sacking as Manchester United manager.

talkSPORT understands the Old Trafford hierarchy was taken aback by Amorim telling a packed press conference that Patrick Dorgu was suffering under the weight of expectation of playing for United.

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There is also a feeling he should have been more positive in his comments regarding summer signing Benjamin Sesko struggling to adapt to the Premier League.

The Man United board believe that Amorim was often too honest when speaking to the media, having also branded last season’s team ‘maybe the worst in the history of Manchester United’.

His negative attitude towards United’s academy players was also a cause for concern, given United’s record of producing their own talent.

Another factor in Amorim’s demise was his reluctance to switch from his 3-4-2-1 formation.

Sources have told talkSPORT that was despite the Portuguese promising he would adapt as he went along when he accepted the job.

This came to a head in an angry exchange between United’s director of football and Amorim after last week’s pitiful 1-1 draw at home to bottom club Wolves.

Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada both felt Amorim’s safety-first approach was not in line with United’s proud attacking traditions.

While Wilcox and Berrada waited until after Amorim’s explosive press conference following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds to wield the axe, it is thought the seeds were already sown as they were also at loggerheads with their manager over plans not to significantly add to the squad in this transfer window.

Mainoo freed

One player celebrating the departure of Amorim more than most is Kobbie Mainoo.

The England midfielder was desperate to leave his boyhood club this month if Amorim remained in charge after failing to start a single Premier League game all season.

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Antonio Conte’s Napoli were among several top European clubs who have registered an interest in taking Mainoo, 20, on loan.

talkSPORT has been told by sources close to academy graduate Mainoo that he is now open to staying and fighting to win a place in the team.

Semenyo’s final farewell… finally

Antoine Semenyo will bid farewell to Bournemouth after Wednesday’s Premier League clash at home to Tottenham.

It feels like the longest goodbye in football as Semenyo’s agents and lawyers tie up the loose ends regarding his £60million move to Manchester City.

Such is Semenyo’s professionalism that he has insisted he keeps playing for the Cherries while his dream switch to the Etihad is being sorted in the background.

Sources close to the Ghanaian international say he has been determined to help Bournemouth end their 11-match winless run to ensure his legacy on the Dorset coast remains intact.

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A Bournemouth source told talkSPORT: “Antoine was one yellow card away from suspension for about three weeks. He made sure he did not get another booking so he would not miss a game even though he risks injury every time he plays. That is the type of character City are getting.”

Hammers axe summer flop already

West Ham are ready to ditch goalkeeper Mads Hermansen just five months after signing him.

It shows how muddled the thinking is at the London Stadium that the Hammers paid Leicester £15m for Hermansen at the behest of Graham Potter a matter of weeks before sacking him as manager.

Hermansen played just four Premier League games – conceding 14 goals – before being dropped.

With West Ham now in talks with Saudi side Al Nassr for Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, Hermansen has been told he can leave in this transfer window.