Ruben Amorim explains decision not sign Mathys Tel after Man Utd transfer ‘risk’

Rubem Amorim has admitted his Manchester United job is on the line, insisting it was his decision not to bring in more firepower during the January transfer window. United made two additions to the squad in January with Patrick Dorgu brought in to try and solve a problem at left wing-back with Ayden Heaven arriving to bolster their numbers in defence. United secured three wins on the bounce against Rangers and FCSB either side of a win on the road at Fulham but another woeful defeat at home to Crystal Palace last Sunday extinguished hope of a major turnaround.

Amorim has lost seven of his 13 games in charge since arriving to replace Erik ten Hag in November with no suggestions of any pressure on his position at this stage. But the former Sporting Lisbon boss insists he, his staff and the squad are all fighting for their futures, aware results will decide his fate. ‘We are fighting for our jobs until the summer,’ Amorim told a press conference ahead of Friday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Leicester City.

‘I know when I choose this profession that you have the risk of results and I knew when I came here, I look at the schedule, I look at the team, and I understood my decision of changing everything in the middle of the season without new signings it is a danger for a coach. ‘But since day one, with good results or bad results, I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because in the end I think it’s going to pay off.

‘I’m not naive, I said that many times, this is a sport of results and we are in a difficult situation.’. United’s woes up front have been one of their biggest concerns with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to score in 2025. Hojlund is currently on a run of 13 games without a goal while Zirkzee last hit the back of the net at the start of December. United explored options to add to their attack in January and were interested in signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich but were unable to agree loan terms with the German giants.

Tel instead joined Tottenham on an initial season-long loan deal with the option to make the move permanent in the summer. Having also given the green light for Marcus Rashford and Antony to leave the club on loan, Amorim insists it was his decision to move cautiously in January despite the risks that approach will bring. The United boss again insisted he only wants ‘a certain type of player’ in his squad and is hopeful a patient approach in January will pay off in the long-term.

‘It was my decision to do that,’ Amorim said. ‘We are taking some risks but it’s the way we want to proceed. ‘We want to win some games, we can improve our team, we will have time to train because I’m always complaining about the time to train, so now we have time to train, and the team will improve. ‘The players, I want a certain type of player with a different profile and we are changing right away.’.