'All the problems' - Ruben Amorim's bold Manchester United statement is about to come true
Man Utd are set to land their second signing of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United fans feared the worst for the summer transfer window when they finished the season trophyless with a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. It was the final nail in the coffin for the worst campaign in the club's modern history, as they married an atrocious league campaign with a cup final defeat.
The 1-0 loss in Bilbao also had huge financial implications, with it estimated United would have been £100 million better of had they beaten Tottenham. Then there was the reputational damage of a club that had become serial losers and did not have the glamour of Champions League football to offer.
It felt like the end was nigh, yet suddenly everything feels positive again. Matheus Cunha has been signed from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo will soon join from Brentford and United are still hopeful they will add a proven goalscorer to their squad this summer as well. It turns out Ruben Amorim was right all along.
Manchester United are still a huge pull
Whether rival fans like it or not, they can't deny that Manchester United are still the biggest club in the Premier League, even after a season as bad as the last. It is something Ruben Amorim was well aware of and why he wasn't worried about attracting smart signings in the summer transfer window.
"It's Manchester United. Every player wants to play for Manchester United," he said back in April. "If you look at our club in the moment, with all the problems, including changing coach, it looks a little bit of a problem. But we have a clear idea and that's the easiest part to explain for a player."
The lack of Champions League football might have been a deterring factor had United looked to sign huge names this summer, but that is a mistake they have made in the past when they have tried to act with bravado. After such a disappointing season, the worst thing United could do is throw huge money at a player who doesn't want to join them, just to prove they are still relevant.
Instead, they have looked to make smart additions to their squad, with Premier League-proven players who are ready to leap to the next level and who, crucially, want to play for the club. Cunha spoke glowingly of United when he was unveiled as their first summer signing, while Mbeumo turned down interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle because he wants to move to Old Trafford.
Even during their disastrous recent spell, United have reached five finals in the last five years and remain a huge global brand, the perfect platform for good talents to become greats. There would also be a huge sense of achievement and gratitude if they could be part of the side that brings success back to the club after over a decade in the shadow of their noisy neighbours.
It might be true that not every player wants to play for this Manchester United, but Cunha and Mbeumo do.