Erik ten Hag's concerns on 'overweight' Man Utd star pose bigger problem for Ruben Amorim
Manchester United's hierarchy have taken increased control over the club's transfers - which was highlighted by Erik ten Hag's frustration at one summer arrival
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorErik ten Hag's frustration surrounding the transfer of Joshua Zirkzee underlines to Ruben Amorim how Manchester United's hierarchy will be the ones making the final calls.
The Dutch forward was signed from Bologna in the summer with the club paying £36.5million to land his services. His arrival was driven by the Old Trafford hierarchy - not the manager himself - with those at the top of the club seeing him as good value for money.
Ten Hag wasn't keen on his arrival and was then fuming that Zirkzee turned up overweight. The striker was reportedly carrying an extra stone and found it hard to shift that weight. Despite scoring on his debut, he's since struggled to find the net.
Amorim has been hired as the man to replace Ten Hag and will no doubt have his own ideas about how we will want at the club - but the Portuguese manager won't have everything his own way.
Already the incoming manager has been informed that he will be consulted on who the club should retain - but it won't be him having the overall say on who does and doesn't remain on the red side of Manchester.
Several players will be out of contract this summer and the United hierarchy have some big calls to make on who they retain and who they allow to leave. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Christian Eriksen are among those who will be free to leave.
The final decision on all the players whose contracts are winding down will rest with CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox. Amorim will be asked for his opinion, but is not expected to have the ultimate say.
The outgoing Sporting Lisbon boss has been able to unearth several gems whilst in Portugal, underlining his impressive eye for a player. The Portuguese champions have been able to sign players on the cheap and then make them major stars - Viktor Gyökeres being a clear example.
There is an expectation that Amorim may look to raid his former club for recruits once the transfer window opens. But United's bosses may have different players lined up as they take a greater control of recruitment following years of failure in the market.
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