Manchester United got themselves back on track with a vital three points in the Premier League this weekend and supporters will be intrigued to see that one of their targets has been unsettled after an approach from the Old Trafford club.
Manchester United look to build on win over Chelsea
Ruben Amorim has faced plenty of critics this term as his side look to put some troubling times behind them at Old Trafford, and he will feel vindicated in his decision to remain firm on his system after seeing off Chelsea last weekend.
Despite Casemiro’s dismissal and a late Trevoh Chalobah reply from the visitors, Manchester United are now only three points off the Premier League top four and have an encouraging run of matches to come where they will hope to pick up valuable results.
While Amorim’s side have come under the microscope after a mixed start to the season, the former Sporting boss admitted his side made it harder for themselves than it needed to be against Chelsea, though lauded his players after finding a way to come through proceedings.
He stated via BBC Sport: “Every win especially in this moment is important, against a great opponent. We started the game in the right way. Really aggressive. The red card helped us dominate the game but we were already there. We scored two goals and then we tried to complicate our game again. It’s always complicated with us. It should have been different this game.”
Face-to-face consultations between Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe paint their own story. However, it appears both parties are in this for the long haul, and the Red Devils will be aware of the danger that comes with regularly trading in managers before they have time to see through their project.
Above all, Manchester United remain an appealing environment for players due to their status as an elite football club, something reflected in recent comments surrounding one of their targets from an existing Premier League manager.
Fabian Hurzeler admits Carlos Baleba unsettled by Man Utd approach
Speaking to GOAL, Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has admitted Carlos Baleba could be unsettled after Manchester United made a summer approach for the Cameroon international. In the end, the Red Devils couldn’t force a deal over the line, but the German boss has now issued a revealing response that indicates he has been influenced by the thought of a move to Old Trafford.
“For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep (down). That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club who wants to have him.
“But for sure, he’s a young boy and we need to understand he’s not a machine that if you click on then he always runs and off then he stops. We need to understand his feelings, his emotions, where he comes from, and that’s our responsibility.”
Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte remain to anchor the midfield alongside much debate as to Bruno Fernandes’ role, and there will be a sense of unfinished business in the market for Manchester United that they will hope to rectify in January.
Ultimately, the Red Devils need to deal with the options they have at their disposal for now, though it doesn’t seem like a move is off the table for Baleba further down the line.