Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim silent on transfer comment

Amorim later said he did not regret his comments ahead of the Newcastle game and was asked again by the same journalist if there had been any changes to the transfer budget. He replied once again: “I don’t want to talk about it.”

After a brief pause, and after the United media official sitting next to Amorim at the press conference began to suggest who would ask the next question, the Portuguese added: “But you’re very smart, so…”

No explanation was given as to what Amorim meant, but the obvious conclusion would be that the journalist could figure it out on his own and that it was related to the topic he was discussing.

United have repeatedly stressed that they will only sign in January if they stick to their long-term template.

Speaking after the Newcastle game, Amorim said he sometimes clashed with the club over goals. One of these is understood to be the decision to sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens rather than Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, the manager’s preferred target on transfer deadline day.

Amorim said after the Newcastle game that it was important that the coach’s voice was heard because he understood the qualities required to play for his team.

The change comes at a time when confidence in Amorim has plummeted among United fans, particularly after a poor run of home games, including Everton being reduced to 10 men after eight minutes, draws with West Ham and Bournemouth, who are on winless runs of eight and 10 games, and Wolves’ debacle.

United remain sixth in the table, having repeatedly denied the chance to break into the top four, but remain just three points ahead of Fulham in 12th.

The club did not hide that their goal this season was European qualification and that if they could not achieve this goal, there would be great doubts about Amorim’s future.

United have already brought midfielder Toby Collyer back from his loan spell at West Brom, although the 22-year-old is still recovering from a calf injury suffered in the draw against Birmingham on 26 November.

If striker Joshua Zirkzee, who came on as a first-half substitute against Wolves, or injured midfielder Kobbie Mainoo were given the loan moves they were hoping for, it was thought the United hierarchy would give the nod to new arrivals this month.

However, Amorim said that neither the actor nor anyone else told him that they wanted to leave.

“If you look at our roster, I think it would be impossible for anyone to leave,” he said. “But they need to talk to them [director of football] Jason [Wilcox].”

United are known to be keen on adding midfielders as well as wing-backs, but their leading targets, England duo Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, are not thought to be realistic targets this month.

The club are also linked with former Wolves captain Ruben Neves, whose future at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal is in doubt, and former academy player James Garner, who has impressed since his £15m move to Everton in 2022.

However, on Friday, Amorim, who had previously suggested that United could make at least one transfer this month, said he did not expect new signings.

“We are not currently in talks to make any changes to the squad,” he said.