Ruben Amorim held late talks with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo before his Manchester United exit, but Semenyo looks set to join Manchester City. Punters: expect boosted anytime-scorer and squad-depth value for City markets, while United’s instability makes them a riskier short-term bet in domestic fixtures.
Ruben Amorim departs Manchester United after courting Antoine Semenyo
Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties at Manchester United roughly 14 months after taking charge, following a fractious exit that included a heated press conference criticising the club hierarchy. Even as his departure approached, Amorim continued to pursue new signings and directly contacted Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo to sell his vision for Old Trafford.
Phone pitch and tactical reassurances to Semenyo
Amorim reportedly phoned Semenyo to outline how he would fit into United’s project. The striker was intrigued by the opportunity but expressed concerns about being used as a wing-back under a back-three system. Amorim responded by stressing tactical flexibility, indicating he would not be wedded to a single formation and could deploy Semenyo in a more forward role.
Final games, formation choices and public fallout
In his last match in charge—a 1-1 draw with Leeds—Amorim stuck with a 3-4-2-1 setup despite experiments with a back four. Full-back Patrick Dorgu was even pushed into the attacking trio alongside Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. After the fixture, Amorim abruptly left a press conference following a blunt exchange in which he insisted on being treated as the club’s manager rather than just a coach.
Semenyo on course for Manchester City and Bournemouth exit terms
Semenyo now appears poised to join Manchester City after turning down United. Bournemouth arranged for him to remain available for key fixtures, with his final scheduled appearance coming against Tottenham Hotspur, following matches against Chelsea and Arsenal that the club insisted he complete before any move.
Transfer timing and squad implications
If Semenyo joins City, he would add attacking depth and pace to an already potent squad, offering Pep Guardiola more rotation options across competitions. For Bournemouth, losing a key forward late in the window could weaken their short-term attacking threat.
Betting and match-market implications
Amorim’s exit injects short-term instability into United’s form and selection, which could make backing them in immediate matches more risky. Semenyo’s move to City would improve City’s attacking options, potentially shortening odds in upcoming fixtures and increasing his value in anytime-scorer and squad-inclusion markets. Bournemouth fixtures without Semenyo may see lower expected goals and altered over/under lines.
What to watch next
Monitor official confirmation of Semenyo’s transfer and the timing of any medicals or announcements. Also track United’s interim coaching setup and immediate team selections—both will heavily influence betting markets and short-term performance expectations.
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Ruben Amorim personally called Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo shortly before his dismissal from Manchester United, with the player now reportedly close to joining Manchester City instead
Manchester Evening News
