The state of Amorim's Man United: Ogden, Marcotti debate - ESPN

The winter transfer window closed on Monday and Manchester United largely underwhelmed in the market thanks to financial constraints and the difficulty in recruiting midseason. Out went Marcus Rashford and Antony, two expensive and unwanted veteran players; in came a largely unknown defender from Serie A (Patrick Dorgu) and a youth player (Ayden Heaven) from Arsenal's academy.

The biggest issue? They didn't bring in a centerforward to ease the pressure up front and keep them from falling even further behind.

So what does the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign look like from here under Ruben Amorim? Does he have the players he needs to make his tactics and system work? And how should he tackle the league vs. cups debate, with United still alive in the FA Cup and Europa League while being stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League table?

Gab Marcotti and Mark Ogden debate the state of Man United.

OGDEN: I think they should be alarmed, but they won't be surprised. The club has been consistently delivering the message that finances are tight, there is virtually no wriggle room with Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) and ultimately, players need to leave in order for the club to raise funds and reduce the wage bill.

Their January business was sensible from a financial perspective — United announced annual losses of £113m ($140m) last September — but Ruben Amorim's squad is desperately short of attacking quality and the failure to invest in a forward, even on a six-month loan, could cost them their one realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League through winning the Europa League.

I haven't heard a single dissenting voice over the decision to offload Marcus Rashford and Antony on loan to Aston Villa and Real