The seven players Ruben Amorim wanted at Manchester United but was refused | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim wanted seven players at Manchester United but was refused his requests, according to the Sun.

The Portuguese was sacked on Monday after 14 months in charge of the Red Devils. The club spent £256 million on new players under Amorim, but most of his preferred options were not signed.

He mostly recommended different targets to a shortlist drafted up by Man United director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell.

He wanted Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez to replace Andre Onana, but Senne Lammens was brought in instead due to his age and wages.

Benjamin Sesko was brought in last summer from RB Leipzig in a £74 million deal, but Amorim was keen to have Ollie Watkins due to his Premier League experience and quality.

He also wanted Paris Saint-Germain left wing-back Nuno Mendes before the Red Devils opted for Patrick Dorgu.

Mendes impressed last term, winning the Champions League and being named in the 2025 FIFA FIFPRO World 11.

The former Man United boss also wanted to reunite with some of his former Sporting CP players, including Geovany Quenda, Salvador Blopa, Ousmane Diomande and Morten Hjulmand.

Chelsea signed Quenda in March 2025, and he will join them this summer.

Amorim did not have the final say on major transfers, which led to him claiming in his final press conference that he expected to be the manager and not just the head coach.

His refusal to change from a back-three also proved costly, while his 38.10 win percentage was underwhelming.

The club must get their next permanent managerial appointment right after several failures since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.