Ruben Amorim’s six-player transfer wishlist as Man Utd manager aims to build dream XI -Reports

Ruben Amorim’s six-player transfer wishlist as Man Utd manager aims to build dream XI -Reports

After hiring Ruben Amorim, Manchester United is desperate to turn things around, and they may look to the transfer market to begin a new chapter in January.

Amorim officially took over as United’s manager on November 11; however, because of the international break, he has not yet managed his first game.

He has been working diligently on the Carrington training fields, teaching his new players the nuances of his preferred 3-4-3 system.

United’s future transfer window movements may be influenced by this tactical approach. Under Erik ten Hag, United has been accustomed to playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but they won’t have much time to adjust.

United have the highest net spend of any football club in the world over the past 10 years (£1.08billion) and are determined to move away from their old ways after shelling out £600m under Ten Hag. Nevertheless, the change of head coach has signalled a new era, and the fresh approach could spark a turnover of players

There is one area that appears to be a priority for Amorim to address. Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are out of contract at the end of the season, while Harry Maguire could also leave unless United opt to trigger the extra year in his contract. United signed Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt in the summer at great expense, but are reportedly still keen on Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.

United saw bids worth £43m and £50m rejected for Branthwaite before landing Yoro but reportedly haven’t been put off going back in for the 22-year-old.

Everton value the towering centre-back at around £70m – a fee United baulked at in the summer – so it remains to be seen whether anything comes of it. Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande is a cheaper alternative.

Amorim is also reportedly keen to address his team’s long-term problem position of left-back, even though Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are now back in training.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is out of contract in the summer and looks ready to leave Germany, although United face competition from Real Madrid.

Perhaps the biggest problem for United in recent years has been at the other end of the pitch, though. They have scored just 12 goals in 11 Premier League games this season and the most obvious solution for Amorim is Viktor Gyokeres, a player he knows extremely well from his time at Sporting.

The Swedish striker has proved himself to be a goal machine in Portugal, netting a staggering 66 goals in 68 games for the club. United have sent scouts to Lisbon to watch him, but a £85m release clause makes any deal difficult, as Amorim has already stated: “Gyokeres costs €100m. It’s very complicated. I will not take any of Sporting’s players in January. But that’s another story.”

A more attainable target from Sporting may be Geovany Quenda, who is valued at £33.5m by his club. The talented attacker doesn’t turn 18 until May, but has a strong connection with Amorim and could be tempted to make the jump.

Meanwhile, there have been reports in France that United are keeping an eye on Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani as a potential signing to add to Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee up front amid their struggles for goals.