Man United Make Four Players ‘Untouchable’ as Amorim Ponders Sales to Fund Summer
As Manchester United brace for a transformative summer under the looming influence of INEOS and with uncertainty still surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future, the club has already begun outlining its strategy for the 2025/26 season. Central to that vision is the identification of a new core around which the squad will be built — and Sporting CP boss Rúben Amorim, still heavily linked to the Old Trafford job, is reportedly aligned with a clear directive: four key players have been deemed “untouchable” ahead of any summer overhaul.
With United likely to face Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints and a bloated wage bill to trim, Amorim — should he take over — may need to fund incoming transfers through player sales. But regardless of who stays or goes, the club’s hierarchy, including INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford and technical team, has reportedly placed a firm embargo on the sale of four specific players deemed essential to the club’s short- and long-term future.
The Four ‘Untouchables’
According to sources close to the club, the four players Manchester United have deemed non-transferable are:
Rasmus Højlund
Kobbie Mainoo
Alejandro Garnacho
Lisandro Martínez
These players are viewed as the pillars of United’s future — young, talented, committed, and already making an impact in the first team. Whether Amorim arrives or another manager takes the reins, these individuals are expected to play central roles in any tactical evolution or rebuild.
Rasmus Højlund – The Striker for the Future
Signed from Atalanta for £72 million last summer, Rasmus Højlund endured a mixed debut season but showed flashes of elite-level potential. After a slow start in the Premier League, he exploded in the second half of the season, ending the campaign with a respectable tally across all competitions.
At just 22, the Danish striker is being backed as the long-term answer to United’s long-standing No. 9 problem. His physicality, movement, and willingness to press have endeared him to the coaching staff, and his finishing has improved as his confidence has grown. INEOS is believed to view Højlund as a “project player” — one they expect to blossom with consistent coaching and better service around him.
Kobbie Mainoo – Midfield Maestro in the Making
No player has risen faster in United’s ranks this season than 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate has become a first-team regular, impressing with maturity, composure, and tactical awareness well beyond his years. Whether as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder, Mainoo has shown the versatility and intelligence to anchor United’s midfield for years to come.
Amorim, known for developing young talent at Sporting, is reportedly an admirer of Mainoo’s style and sees him as a future leader in midfield. The club has no intention of cashing in — even amidst rumored interest from clubs across Europe.
Alejandro Garnacho – Explosive Talent on the Flank
Argentinian winger Alejandro Garnacho has been one of United’s brightest sparks in an otherwise inconsistent season. With pace, flair, and a fearless approach to taking on defenders, the 20-year-old has cemented his place in the starting XI and scored several crucial goals.
Still raw in some aspects of his game, Garnacho is viewed internally as one of the most exciting wide talents in Europe. United have already extended his contract until 2028, and under Amorim’s high-intensity system, he could thrive with more structured tactical guidance.
Lisandro Martínez – The Defensive General
Despite suffering multiple injuries this season, Lisandro Martínez remains one of Manchester United’s most important players. The Argentine centre-back brings aggression, composure on the ball, and vocal leadership — all attributes that United’s defense sorely lacked in his absence.
Amorim, whose teams rely on ball-playing defenders to build from the back, would find Martínez a perfect fit. Club officials have reportedly made it clear that he is not available for transfer under any circumstance, even as speculation grows about overhauling United’s backline.
Amorim’s Vision: Who Could Be Sold?
Should Rúben Amorim be appointed — a decision INEOS are still deliberating — he would walk into a club at a crossroads. With a need to refresh the squad and implement his own style, sales are expected to be a key part of the summer strategy.
Several first-team players are now believed to be on the chopping block, including:
Jadon Sancho – Currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho’s future appears to lie away from Old Trafford. Amorim is unlikely to count on a player who’s had public fallouts with the coaching staff.
Anthony Martial – Out of contract this summer, Martial is set to leave on a free transfer. His exit will free up wages for reinvestment.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf – With the defense set for an overhaul, both centre-backs could be sold to make room for younger or more tactically adaptable options.
Scott McTominay – Despite scoring important goals, McTominay may be seen as expendable if Amorim favors a more technical midfield.
Christian Eriksen and Casemiro – Both veterans have shown signs of slowing down. Casemiro, in particular, could attract interest from Saudi Arabia, potentially generating a significant fee.
Amorim is also expected to promote younger players, in line with the philosophy he honed at Sporting — where he turned the likes of Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes, and Pedro Gonçalves into stars.
INEOS and the New Sporting Structure
Behind the scenes, the INEOS influence is growing. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his sporting leadership team have already begun reshaping the football department, bringing in recruitment specialists and preparing to modernize the club’s analytics and medical infrastructure.
Whether Ten Hag stays or Amorim arrives, the sporting structure is being designed to endure beyond any individual manager — focusing on youth, athleticism, and tactical discipline.
INEOS’s decision to make four players ‘untouchable’ underscores a shift from short-term fixes to a long-term vision built around sustainable development and elite performance metrics. It is a clear message to agents, clubs, and fans: these four players are the foundation.
Conclusion: A New Core, A New Era?
Manchester United are at a crucial juncture. With a potential managerial change on the horizon and the summer transfer window fast approaching, big decisions lie ahead. The club’s decision to ring-fence Rasmus Højlund, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Lisandro Martínez marks a definitive shift in direction.
Instead of chasing marquee names or short-term solutions, United — under INEOS — are prioritizing youth, identity, and long-term strategy. If Amorim does arrive, he’ll inherit not just talent, but a clear message: build with these four, and the rest can be molded around them.
Whether that philosophy leads to silverware remains to be seen. But for the first time in years, Manchester United seem to be planning with purpose.
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this into a more opinionated, fan-centric tone or expand on Amorim’s tactical approach.
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