Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim will have one eye firmly on the end of the season and the difficult decisions he needs to make
Harry Maguire and Tom Heaton pictured arriving in America during Manchester United’s pre-season tour(Image: Todd Kirkland – Premier League/Getty Images)
What makes a successful Manchester United team? That is the question which is undoubtedly spinning around the mind of Ruben Amorim this week after a disappointing defeat to Everton on Monday night. In the short-term, the answer seems simple.
United need to purchase players who are going to drastically improve what they are currently offering. They started this approach in the summer with Bryan Mbeumo proving to be much better than those previously occupying the attack. The jury is still out on Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, albeit they have both had their moments.
Meanwhile, Senne Lammens has been a revelation in goal. Even with his mistake this week, the Belgian has been a vast improvement on Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana. This transfer strategy is one which United will be looking to adopt moving forward but long-term, there needs to be a culture shift at Old Trafford.
For too long there has been a sense of negativity around the club and a concern that too many players are here for the wage packet rather than to take the Reds back to the top. Amorim has worked hard to shape the club in an image which best suits his own.
But changing the culture needs to be spearheaded by the players. And Amorim may find it difficult to replace one key man at the club. Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast, Lammens was asked by Ben Foster who his ‘big brother’ was in the squad.
He replied: “Tom Heaton is the easy answer for me. Just the type of human he is with all the experience and making me feel at home as well. To be honest, the whole goalkeeping group is really good together.”
Third choice goalkeeper Heaton is out of contract at the end of this season and there is a feeling he may choose to retire this summer. But Lammens’ comments are just further evidence of how difficult it will be to replace someone like Heaton in the dressing room.
Tom Heaton shares a joke with Senne Lammens in the Carrington gym
“He (Amorim) feels quite strongly about having a group of players that have a strong influence on the dressing room and provides a little bit of support to Bruno [Fernandes],” Heaton said of the role in August. “I am obviously honoured as ever to be part of that and will try to have as much influence on it as I possibly can.”
Heaton is popular in the dressing room and is clearly a big help to Amorim and his staff. Amorim will have no shortage of options for the role if the 39-year-old does depart in the summer. It is about finding the right fit and personality for the dressing room who can use his experience, not only to help his fellow goalkeepers, but to create the perfect culture for success.
Heaton does that role well as evidenced by Lammens’ comments so United will need to be careful when it comes to finding a replacement.
