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The absence of Mboumou, Amad Diallo and Noussar Mazraoui for up to seven matches due to their AFCON commitments has led Amorim to consider making major changes to his preferred tactical line-up.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, Amorim said: “If we have to change to a back four, we will change to a back four.”
Amorim has previously resisted calls for a tactical adjustment to a four-man defense and three-man midfield, and many feel it will make United’s defense more solid while at the same time offering Kobe Maino a more clear path into the starting line-up.
If England midfielder Maino does not start at Villa Park – especially with Casemiro suspended – it is difficult to know when he will.
Maino placement is part of a complex moving process.
As was the case in the summer, the 20-year-old is keen to leave on loan – but as a regular in Amorim’s matchday squad, he will need to be replaced.
It seems likely that former Wolves captain Neves would be willing to accept less than he was earning in the Saudi Professional League to return to the Premier League.
The Portuguese, who rejected a new deal with Al Hilal after joining them in 2023, will have to comply with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s desire to end the days of £300,000-a-week contracts.
His salary will still far exceed that of Maino, who did not receive a rise in the long-term contract he signed in February 2023 when he was just joining United’s first team.
If they decide to let Maino leave, United will have to decide whether to attach some full time to him so that the additional expenses of the replacement are covered.
While many are wondering how Semenyu could fit into a team where captain Bruno Fernandes has already had to drop down to central midfield to accommodate Mbeumo and being in the No. 10 role, United sources are confident that Amorim can find a solution.
The 25-year-old Ghana international, who scored for the Cherries in an epic 4-4 win at Old Trafford earlier in December, has a clause in his contract with Bournemouth that allows him to leave for £65m provided it is activated early enough in January.
However, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are also known to be interested in him.
It is possible that Amorim may decide to either make a permanent tactical change or use Semenho as an attacking weapon in the problematic left-back position, where he lacks a similar attacking option to Amad, who mainly plays on the right flank.
Either way, his words are bound to be welcomed by United fans, who over the past two months have watched their team compete for Champions League places without being able to secure one.
Amorim insists that any agreement will keep this long-term vision in mind.
He added: “We will try now – and at the end of the season – to bring ideal players for our future.”
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