If a theme of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s reign as Manchester United’s co-owner has been reducing the head count at Old Trafford and Carrington, Ruben Amorim may have shown signs he is buying into it. As United began pre-season training, five players were told not to report for work. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are the absent five. United said they had asked to leave the club. The alternative perspective is that the club was more proactive in telling them they had no future.
Either way, when they could have been in Carrington, they are instead in limbo. And if United’s show of strength amounted to backing for Amorim, there were signs an attempt to usher in a new era had already begun. United have started to sign the replacements before selling the incumbents. Matheus Cunha has arrived for £62.5m. Bryan Mbeumo could soon follow for a similar fee. Cunha has been granted the No 10 shirt that was once the property of Denis Law, Mark Hughes, Teddy Sheringham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney.
