RUBEN AMORIM has a cunning plan – and it involves Benjamin Sesko AND Rasmus Hojlund.
The United boss has got his way with Old Trafford powerbrokers now in direct touch with Leipzig for the £70m Slovenian striker.
GettyRuben Amorim is stepping up Man Utd’s preparation for the new season[/caption]
GettyMan Utd are targeting RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko[/caption]
But that does NOT spell the end for Hojlund, who aided his cause with a double and an impressive physical display in the 4-1 win over Bournemouth at Soldier Field.
Amorim is confident he can repeat the success he had developing now-Arsenal frontman Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting Lisbon with Sesko at United.
The United manager is convinced he can help take the 6ft 5in striker to another level under his tutelage.
Amorim is said to believe Sesko could be the “dynamite” United are missing from their line leader.
But he also believes that the presence of Sesko will prove the spur Hojlund requires to overcome his doubts and mature into a top class alternative.
Amorim is understood to feel the lack of competition up front that Hojlund faced contributed to what the Dane admits was a “tough” season.
Knowing he has to fight for game time against Sesko will force Hojlund out of his comfort zone and benefit both the former Atalanta striker and United.
It is why the manager would prefer Hojlund to stay at the club, rather than leaving – although the Dane will be given the right to make his own decisions on his future.
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SPENDING TO CONTINUE
Landing Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to be the end of Manchester United’s summer spending – even if signing the Slovenian will take them over the £200m mark for the summer.
Ruben Amorim is still looking to boost his squad with at least two more players, one of whom is likely to be a cover goalkeeper for Andre Onana, with Antwerp’s Senne Lammens in their sights.
Amorim has appeared animated and enthused during United’s stay in Chicago, with the buy-in from players including Luke Shaw a huge plus.
But the Portuguese manager recognises that the road back from United’s worst top flight season in half a century may be long and winding, with a few setbacks and stumbles along the way.
Last season, moving into a hot mess in November, was exhausting for Amorim, who benefited from his early break to recharge drained batteries.
Yet now there is far more positivity and his realistic aim is to be genuinely competitive at the top end of the Prem in the next two seasons.
GettyMan Utd are looking to add more new recruits after signing Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha[/caption]
NICE ONE, MATE
You can take the boy out of Argentina. But you can’t take Argentina out of the boy.
Defender Lisandro Martinez is part of United’s tour party in the USA despite still recovering from last season’s ACL surgery.
Martinez, lined up for the left-sided role in Ruben Amorim’s preferred back three, is edging towards a comeback after six months out.
But while other United players were sipping energy drinks and water ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Bournemouth, Martinez was casually carrying a calabash gourd filled with Mate, the highly-caffeinated herbal drink beloved in South America. He certainly looked at home.
GettyLisandro Martinez has been drinking popular Argentine beverage mate[/caption]
FIXING THE LEAKS
United players have been told that there must be no dressing room leaks if the club is to move forward together.
Team news and other information being plastered all over social media last season saw fingers pointed in the dressing room and among fans.
One of those accused of leaking was Alejandro Garnacho’s brother, with other players also under suspicion.
That was felt to have seriously impacted on trust within the dressing room environment, damaging the dynamic of the club.
Players who do step out of line face significant consequences and it has been made clear that the rules apply to everybody equally – with anyone who breaches the new unofficial code of conduct facing time out of the team and be expected to apologise to the group.
AFPAmorim is determined to stamp out the leaks at Man Utd[/caption]
FANTASTIC FOUR
United’s currently out of action quartet are spending more time together than they would probably like.
Andre Onana, Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazrouai and Bryan Mbeumo have formed a tight circle of friendship on the two match days against West Ham and Bournemouth.
They were last off the coach at Soldier Field, chatting animatedly as they made their way to the dressing room and then walked out for the pre-match together.
Then after the match, the famous four spotted eating out of takeaway boxes as they waited for their team-mates to finish. Downtime can be good time.
GettyJoshua Zirkzee is among the Man Utd stars currently unavailable[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
