Man Utd managed to defuse the ‘bomb squad’ but missing out on England star could be costly with Amorim’s future in doubt

THE spending never seems to end at Old Trafford and, for most of the last dozen years since Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his legendary reign, neither has the misery either.

Ruben Amorim is now the sixth full-time manager trying to give Manchester United a title-winning identity – and like the others his judgement in the market will make or break him.

EPARuben Amorim has shifted United’s ‘bomb squad’[/caption]

GettyBenjamin Sesko was United’s biggest arrival[/caption]

That 3-4-3 system he introduced when replacing the last failure in Erik ten Hag also threatens to become a noose around his neck.

Ten months in, there are finally signs that the penny is dropping – the first half display in what ended up a high anxiety first Prem win of the season against Burnley was highly impressive.

United could have been four up but then forgot everything their boss had supposedly drummed into them before Bruno Fernandes’s late, late penalty to clinch 3-2 victory.

Amorim deployed two of his new attack dogs in Matheus Cunha – later injured – and Bryan Mbeumo but again started with Benjamin Sesko on the bench, with the £66million main striker still not deemed fully fit.

Only once the trio start playing regularly together will we know whether Amorim has at least solved the scoring problem that saw United hit only 44 league goals last season – the Prem’s fifth–lowest tally.

If they can make music United fans will enjoy at least some of the attacking football of a long bygone era, and believe that after so many years of shopping blind for some awful purchases – £85m for Antony??? – there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

But it will take more than one summer window to clear out all the dead wood and add more real talent – even if there are some green shoots emerging.

It also remains to be seen if neurotic Amorim will still be around long enough to complete what is already a dirty job and offer Prem success.

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WAS THE TRANSFER WINDOW A SUCCESS?

Amorim would argue that it was.

Cunha, Mbuemo and Sesko unquestionably have quality although plenty of strikers before them have suffered stage fright at the Theatre of Dreams.

Just ask Rasmus Hoijlund and Joshua Zirkzee about that.

The Portuguese will be praying that in Senne Lammens he has also solved the goalkeeping problem that saw Andre Onana and Altay Bayinder sharing the lead roles in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

The “bomb squad” has also been defused, other than Tyrell Malacia, although at a cost.

Alejandro Garnacho would have been worth more than £40m to Chelsea had Amorim not debunked him so publicly while United got a quarter of what they paid for Antony.

BEST BUY

EPAMathues Cunha could be the best of the new players[/caption]

GettySenne Lammens could make a huge impact for United[/caption]

Cunha because he’s a maverick talent.

Although in the end, if Lammens stands up to the pressure it might just end up being the young Belgian stopper.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Conor Gallagher was of late interest but any thoughts of getting him on a loan deal were scuppered by Atletico Madrid.

His energy and work rate as a holding midfielder would have helped big–style and allowed Bruno Fernandes to play much further forward.

GettyConor Gallagher could be a January target for United[/caption]

MORE TRANSFER ACTION IN JANUARY?

Gallagher could well come into Amorim’s thinking again, although his price is likely to stay at around £40m.

There will be more exits, with Malacia certain to be moved on then while Kobbie Mainoo will be looking ahead to winter.

He wanted out on loan but Amorim insisted the unhappy home-grown star stay and fight for a place.

But if he keeps suffering lack of game time he’ll be hoping Napoli back their interest with a bid.

By the end of the winter window either Onana or Bayinder will be gone… if not before.

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