The chances of Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim putting a meaningful mark on the squad he has inherited in the upcoming January transfer window are slim.
United’s decision to stick with Erik ten Hag in the summer and extend his contract by an additional year took his pay-off close to £15million. It then cost the club north of £9m to appoint Amorim as his successor.
It means the chances of United’s purse strings being loosened immediately after Christmas are slim to none. However, in the Reds’ defence, they have rarely thrown caution to the wind in the mid-season window.
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It is why next summer is likely to mark Amorim’s first opportunity to put his own stamp on his squad. Of course, United’s finishing position this season will dictate what will be possible ahead of 2025/26, but you can guarantee there will be new arrivals.
Currently four points shy of the top four after 11 games, United’s hopes of securing a return to the Champions League next season are by no means over. Qualification for Europe’s premier club competition would boost their hopes of having a prosperous summer.
Naturally, following Amorim’s appointment, United are already being linked with a plethora of players. Some links make sense while others feel somewhat fanciful.
The impending introduction of a 3-4-3 formation makes it easier to plot where United might plan to strengthen next summer, with the wide areas likely to attract much of the focus. United have struggled at full-back so far this season, impacted by long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
The goalkeeping department, however, is unlikely to be in need of too much TLC. Andre Onana was signed in July 2023 to become David de Gea’s long-term successor, and he has been getting better and better, firmly establishing himself as the club’s No.1.
Although he is yet to make his competitive debut for United, the expectation is Leny Yoro will cement his place in Amorim’s first-choice XI and become an undroppable figure. He was the club’s most eye-catching signing in the summer.
Expected to form one third of the back-three, Yoro should be partnered by Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez. Each member of that trio brings their own skillset to the table, and they each have the capacity, at the ages of 19, 25 and 26 respectively, to become long-term options for Amorim.
It is in the wing-back areas where changes could come to fruition. United, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, are fond of Sporting Lisbon star Geovany Quenda and the Portuguese club is already anticipating receiving an offer.
Quenda, who is left-footed, had been operating as a right-sided wing-back prior to Amorim’s recent exit from the Portuguese capital, meaning there is a chance he could be tasked with filling the same void at United should he seal a move to Old Trafford. Amorim puts a lot of pressure on his wing-backs to provide width and speed, meaning Quenda, 17, is a tailor-made fit.
The same can be said for Alphonso Davies on the other side. The Bayern Munich ace is being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford ahead of his contract in Germany expiring next summer.
Also being linked with Real Madrid, Davies is strong, quick and incredibly athletic, making him a viable option for the left wing-back role. Currently under contract at Bayern and attracting alleged interest from Madrid, United will only have a chance of signing the Canadian if they are back in the Champions League next season.
As well-stocked as United currently are in midfield, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte should form Amorim’s first-choice partnership both in the here and now and in the future, despite only previously starting together once. Mainoo is a generational talent with massive potential, while Ugarte is the perfect foil as a defensive shield.
A 3-4-3 puts pressure on the wing-backs to attack and provide width, meaning the two wide players in the forward line are likely to come inside and operated as inverted wingers, or possibly even No.10s. Bruno Fernandes should occupy one of those two roles.
That leaves Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad vying for the other. Each of them are fantastic players, but it is Amad, certainly currently, who is attracting the most attention.
Should the Ivorian and Fernandes take two of the three attacking spots, the final one will be reserved for an out-and-out centre-forward. As far as transfer speculation is concerned, the only man United are currently being linked with to fill that spot is Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swede has been banging the goals in for fun so far this season, scoring 32 times for Sporting and Sweden combined. Blossoming under Amorim in Portugal, it is understandable for United fans to want to see a reunion at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund is only just over a year into his United career, and at £72m the club still has high hopes for him. However, Gyokeres would be an upgrade.
Dream United XI for 2024/25: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Quenda, Ugarte, Mainoo, Davies; Amad, Gyokeres, Fernandes.
