Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confessed to being taken aback by the immediate impact of one of his summer signings, as club legend Bryan Robson issues a firm demand for the upcoming January transfer window.
Amorim's Pleasant Surprise
Following a troubled start to the season, pressure is slowly easing on head coach Ruben Amorim after a mini-revival. The Red Devils are now preparing to host Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night, aiming to build on consecutive wins over Liverpool and Brighton, despite subsequent draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
The goalkeeper position has been a particular area of concern for United since the departure of David de Gea. His replacement, Andre Onana, was loaned to Trabzonspor after a series of costly errors, while stand-in Altay Bayındır also failed to impress.
This prompted the summer acquisition of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has quickly settled, delivering a string of assured performances that have delighted his manager.
"Of course, we do our diligence when we are going to buy players," Amorim told Stadium Astro. "It was a surprise. All the pressure that we suffer with the goalkeeper position, to arrive here and to show that confidence. To transmit that confidence to the team, I think, was a little bit of a surprise for me."
Amorim did not hesitate to acknowledge his unexpected delight, adding, "I'm not going to say everyone, but I'm talking as a manager. I have no problem to say that was a surprise for me."
Robson's January Transfer Demand
As thoughts turn to the January transfer window, United great Bryan Robson has pinpointed the midfield as a key area for reinforcement. The club primarily signed attacking players in the summer, leaving the middle of the park as a focus for Amorim.
Robson has come to the defence of the much-criticised Casemiro, insisting the 33-year-old Brazilian remains a "fantastic player" who would be on his team sheet every time. Contrary to claims that the former Real Madrid star is past his best, Robson believes the squad would benefit from adding another player of his calibre.
"People say he's not this or he's not that, his legs have gone. Not for me, Casemiro is still a fantastic player, and he would be on my team sheet every time," Robson told Sportsboom. "I think we'd benefit from another Casemiro-like midfielder, that would definitely help us."
Mainoo's Future at United
Despite limited game time under Amorim this season, Robson also expressed strong belief in the future of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. He attributed Mainoo's stop-start season to injuries but recalled his outstanding form from the previous campaign.
"I think the future is bright, the club has some great young players," Robson added. "I still think there's a lot more to come from some of these young players, just look at Kobbie Mainoo. He had so many injuries last year, it really was a stop-start season for him, but you look at the year before and he was outstanding for the last six months of the season. There's a lot more to come from Mainoo and the other young lads."
With the January window on the horizon, United will be looking to strengthen their squad as they push for a return to European football.
