Man Utd latest: Only ONE player is 'safe' under Amorim

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 11 Nov 2024 11:22 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Bruno Fernandes is the only Manchester United player who will be “safe” under Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils’ new head coach has arrived in England to officially start his duties at Old Trafford following his final game as Sporting CP head coach on Sunday evening.

Man Utd interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy guided the club to three wins and one draw during his four matches at the helm, and Amorim will be hoping to build on the club’s impressive recent form during his first few weeks in charge.

READ MORE: How Man Utd will line up under Ruben Amorim

The 39-year-old has received major plaudits for his work at Sporting, but Merson believes he faces a “hard job” at Man Utd.

The former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder also admitted that a large section of Man Utd’s current first-team squad could be moved on next year as Amorim looks to mould the Red Devils into a team capable of fighting for major honours yet again.

READ MORE: Van Nistelrooy is the problem Amorim didn’t need

What has been said?

When asked how many Man Utd players will be sold by Amorim, Merson told Sky Sports: “I honestly can’t [put a number on it] because you could say seven or eight.

“They haven’t got wing-backs and I look at [Marcus] Rashford and [Alejandro] Garnacho and I think: ‘Where are you two going to play?’

“The two centre forwards they’ve got [Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee] are not really the centre forward that he [Amorim] wants.

“I only see [Bruno] Fernandes as the one for me who is a safe one. He’ll play in behind as a No.10 and play his football. He’s Portuguese [so] he’ll know him.

“There’s so much hard work to be done there, it’s such a hard job. This is a different league, that league where they [Sporting CP] play is a different world. When you come to Old Trafford you have to win every game.”