Source: Amorim denied Utd Jan. transfer spree

Manchester United have asked Rúben Amorim to get the best of his squad he has inherited at Old Trafford rather than rely on a host of new signings, a source has told ESPN.

Amorim has arrived as head coach and is set to take charge of his first game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday. The 39-year-old, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract, has been tasked with getting more out of a team which sits 13th in the Premier League.

A source has told ESPN that financial concerns at the club mean there’s unlikely to be a significant transfer budget available in January to reshape the first team.

Although United’s recruitment operation is now being run by sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox under INEOS’ new structure, Amorim will have a say in incomings and outgoings next summer. However, a source has told ESPN that transfer budgets are set to remain tight moving forward and there is little desire to rip up the current group of senior players.

Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag, spent heavily in the transfer market, signing 15 first-team players over the course of three summers at a cost of more than £600 million ($757.8m).

A source has told ESPN that the figure is unlikely to be matched over the next three years and Amorim’s task will be to improve performances with the existing squad.

The former Sporting CP boss is set to implement a new tactical style at United, using the 3-4-3 system that proved so successful in Portugal.

He took his first training session at Carrington on Monday with a group of non-international players including Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo. Players who have taken part in the internationals during the break are expected to report back on Wednesday and Thursday.