Four teams have been relegated in the Premier League era after finishing in United’s current 14th place at the turn of the year. The last time Leeds were there was two seasons ago.

Of course it may not happen, but events at Old Trafford show that there may be a need to bring in new players when the transfer window opens on January 1st.

However, money is tight at a club that lost £113.2m in the financial year to June 2024.

“We don’t have that opportunity in January unless we take some players out,” Amorim said. “You know the situation better than I do.

“It’s not like I come here knowing I can spend money to change the team.”

Selling players could be an option.

But what is the market for Casemiro, a Brazilian legend at Real Madrid but now just a passenger in the Premier League with 18 months left on his contract?

Or Joshua Zirkzee, signed from Bologna in the summer for £36.5m on a five-year contract, but lasted just 33 minutes of that defeat before being replaced by Kobbie Mainoo to huge applause from the home fans.

“It was a very difficult moment,” Amorim said. “He’s human.”

Zirkzee returned to the bench with more recognition after a trip to the dressing room, but how does Amorim find a meaningful place in his squad for the Netherlands international?

And then there is Marcus Rashford. The England striker returned to the squad after a four-game absence but remained on the bench as United lost their fourth consecutive game in all competitions and their third in a row in the league, failing to score a goal in that time.

Amorim said he didn’t mean anything by it – but if Rashford doesn’t get a place in this team, his coach really can’t have a high opinion of him.

“I think about the team, you think a lot about Marcus,” he said afterwards. “I just want to win the game.”