Manchester United have finally started the Ruben Amorim era and will be looking to back the new boss in the 2025 transfer windows.
Ruben Amorim was appointed as Manchester United boss as November began but he faced a three-week wait to stand in the dugout.
Amorim was finally ready to take charge against Ipswich Town on Sunday, but it was a rather underwhelming start.
Marcus Rashford’s early goal had United fans in dreamland but the harsh realities of this squad set in after that rapid start.
United were fairly disappointing as Ipswich claimed a 1-1 draw and arguably could have won it having created the better chances.
Andre Onana was named Man of the Match for a reason with the United stopper coming up with some big saves to secure a point.
Manchester United target praised by former coach
Nobody should be pointing fingers at Amorim for a disappointing first display; he has had mere days with this United squad.
Amorim needs time to mould this United side – and he will need some signings in the transfer window.
A number of Sporting players have been linked with following Amorim to Old Trafford with Ousmane Diomande a prime candidate.
Reports last week suggested that defender Diomande is interested in joining United despite interest from Manchester City.
United would want Diomande at the end of the season with the Ivorian viewed as a major addition to Amorim’s back line.
Diomande’s former coach from the Midtjylland youth ranks has now offered praise with Kenneth Andersen speaking to Tipsbladet about the centre back.
Andersen noted that Diomande is viewed as a ‘big star’ at Midtjylland having developed into a star at Sporting.
Andersen feels that Diomande is proving himself against the best in the world in the Champions League, but feels the money being talked about for his signature is ‘crazy’.
The Midtjylland coach added that Diomande is ‘very humble’ and ‘really, really sensible’ with money, praising his character alongside his qualities on the pitch.
“He is a big star down here. It’s one thing to be in Portugal and do it in the league, but he also does it in the Champions League. When he is measured against the greats, you can really see how good he is,” said Andersen.
“I can understand that there is hype around Diomandé and big clubs are looking for him, because he is doing really well.
“Yes, these are crazy amounts. It has reached a level where you wonder if he belongs there. He can keep his feet on the ground and if not, we will probably have to help him with that. He is very humble, and this is also reflected in his actions off the pitch when you think about how he lives and spends his money. He’s really, really sensible,” he added.
- READ MORE: Ruben Amorim has already pinpointed a problem for Manchester United after Ipswich Town draw
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 10 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 18 |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 17 |
| 12 |  Man UtdManchester United | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 16 |
| 13 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 15 |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 15 |
How much will Diomande cost?
Andersen noted the ‘crazy’ amounts being spoken about around Diomande, but just how much would United be paying?
Sporting confirmed in 2023 that there is an €80million (£67million) release clause in Diomande’s contract.
That would be a considerable investment for United and there may be some attempts to grind Sporting’s price tag down a little.
United will trust Amorim’s verdict on Diomande but there will be some hesitation given Erik ten Hag’s spending on his former Ajax players.
The money spent on Antony looks to be a monumental error now and United may think twice about spending similar money on another ‘manager pick’.
Diomande is certainly a big talent but United may look to strike a cheaper deal rather than paying that release clause.
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