Man United left Amorim fuming after failing to replace Mainoo with ‘priceless’ star | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim was reportedly far from pleased with Manchester United’s business in the last days of the summer transfer market, especially with the management failing to address the midfield department.

The Premier League giants redesigned their attack by signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, and they also managed to bring reinforcement between the sticks by finalising a deadline-day move for Senne Lammens.

However, the manager, as well as the fanbase, were anticipating some adjustments in the middle of the park. Instead, the department remained intact, with the only difference from last season being the departure of Toby Collyer, who joined West Brom on loan.

Ruben Amorim unhappy with Man United’s midfield department

As Amorim explained in recent weeks, club captain Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo are now vying for the No.8 role, implicitly revealing that one between Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will act as the midfield enforcer.

But according to TEAMtalk, the Portuguese manager is anything but pleased with his current options. The source goes on to claim that the 40-year-old was left furious with Man Utd, who failed to satisfy an important request of his.

Ruben Amorim’s Reds got off to an unfortunate start in 2025/2026. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The report insists that Amorim was willing to grant Mainoo leave while the latter was asking to be sent out on loan in order to garner additional playing time.

TEAMtalk reveals that the head coach would have liked to replace the wantaway youngster with his England teammate, Conor Gallagher, who had once been described as ‘priceless’ by his former Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino.

Amorim wanted Conor Gallagher at Man Utd

As revealed by transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, United tried to sign 25-year-old Gallagher on loan in the final days of the summer transfer window, but Atletico Madrid weren’t willing to consider this formula, so they immediately closed the door on this approach.

In the end, Mainoo remained at Carrington, while the former Chelsea star will continue to play his football in the Spanish capital, much to Amorim’s dismay, claims the source.

These have been tense days for the former Sporting CP manager who looked emotionally unsettled during the miserable trip to Grimsby.

Hence, MUFC supporters will be hoping that the upcoming fixtures spark a more cheerful mood at the club, with all market exploits and woes put behind them.