Micah Richards has predicted a major overhaul at Manchester United, with up to six new signings on the horizon before 2025.
After a rocky start to the 2024/25 season, which saw them struggle in the bottom half of the Premier League – even since the sacking of Erik ten Hag by INEOS at the end of October after a string of disappointing results – the Red Devils are looking to rebuild. Ruben Amorim, who has taken the reins but has yet to make a major impact, could be joined by a big transfer cat to shape the squad to his energetic playing style.
Ex-Manchester City defender Richards shared his insights on Amorim and the United team with Gary Lineker during an episode of The Rest Is Football in November. After seeing Amorim's first match against Ipswich end in a 1–1 draw, Richards told Lineker: “So he wants to play energetically, he likes his midfield two to be very aggressive. It looked good, not for the first time.” 10 minutes? They looked alive, they looked sharp. All the things you thought got me excited, and then it just fell flat.
Richards also expressed doubts about United's transfer activities in January, suggesting they may have to wait until the summer of 2025 before spending big again after an expensive spell under Ten Hag just a few months ago. “I don't think he'll get the players he wants in January,” Richards added.
“But I think we will see five or six players come in in the summer. I was a bit disappointed with the performance, and that is not the manager's fault. Obviously the manager needs time to implement his style, but It was almost like that.” like a fizzy drink that I expected so much from, they started off so well but then it fizzled out a bit.
Richards highlighted the need for manager Amorim to shape his squad over time, while former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer highlighted the specific challenges facing United's midfield, and pointed out what is not feasible for those who play Amorim has at his disposal. Shearer said: “First of all, he's got an aging midfield, hasn't he? He played Casemiro and [Christian] Eriksen.
“It would be virtually impossible for those two to do what he wants in terms of the press and the high energy, and the sprints, and the running and everything else.”
This concern seems justified as the team has seen a string of losses continue under Amorim. Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Tottenham and Bournemouth have all beaten United since the arrival of the Portuguese head coach.
Old Trafford welcomed a plethora of new players this summer, including Lille's Leny Yoro, Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee, PSG's Manuel Ugarte, and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. That busy summer saw United spend around £200 million, reports the Manchester Evening News.
However, it seems that the team is still missing some key elements, such as a committed striker and more depth in midfield. Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres has been mentioned as a possible addition, but bringing him back together with Amorim could be an expensive move, especially in January. However, if Marcus Rashford is sold, it could raise funds for new recruits in the near future.