Ruben Amorim, despite his initial hesitations, was persuaded to take the helm at Manchester United mid-season, stepping in to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
It remains uncertain whether the 40-year-old has any regrets about his decision, but both he and the United management are now confronted with a crucial summer of recruitment after yet another disappointing season.
Having spent the past few months evaluating the current squad using his preferred 3-4-3 formation, Amorim now needs the right additions to transform his vision into reality.
The transformation of the squad has already commenced with the acquisitions of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in January, and recent weeks have also seen promising talents like Chido Obi and Harry Amass emerge from the club’s productive academy.
Looking to Carrington for talent could be a prudent approach for the financially constrained club, although significant signings are undoubtedly necessary, as Amorim has suggested that the club will need to sell players in order to make new purchases this summer.
With this context, let us examine how the Red Devils might line up next season, provided the essential changes are implemented.
GK – James Trafford
Recent discussions have indicated that Amorim is interested in acquiring a new goalkeeper. According to talkSPORT, the current first-choice keeper, Andre Onana, may be considering a move away from the club due to interest from Saudi teams.
Speculation regarding the 28-year-old’s future has intensified, particularly with reports suggesting that Manchester United is pursuing Burnley’s James Trafford. The talented young English goalkeeper, who was included in Thomas Tuchel’s inaugural squad for the national team, played a crucial role in a team that achieved 12 consecutive clean sheets in the Championship earlier this season.
At just 22 years old, the Manchester City academy graduate would be an excellent long-term addition to United’s goalkeeping lineup.
RCB – Leny Yoro
Leny Yoro’s inaugural season at Old Trafford has been largely defined by injuries. Nevertheless, after successfully competing with Real Madrid for his acquisition, Manchester United holds significant expectations for the young centre-back.
At just 19 years old, Yoro has not maintained a steady presence on the field. However, his exceptional ball skills and remarkable recovery speed—evidenced by his impressive last-minute tackle on Darwin Nunez at Anfield—suggest that he is ideally suited for the right centre-back position.
CB – Matthijs de Ligt
After initially struggling in Manchester, Matthijs de Ligt has recently demonstrated remarkable performance as a key member of the back three, establishing himself as one of the leaders in Amorim’s squad.
His display against Leicester City, highlighted by a crucial block on Facundo Buonanotte, showcased his tenacity and traditional “warrior” spirit, as described by a content creator. At only 25 years old, he has the potential to become a cornerstone of the defense for many years ahead.
LCB – Jarrad Branthwaite
It has been reported that Jarrad Branthwaite, who was the subject of a £35 million offer from United last summer, is likely to attract the attention of the Red Devils once again, especially in light of Lisandro Martinez’s recent ACL injury.
The emergence of young Heaven has somewhat mitigated this setback; however, Branthwaite, at just 22 years old, presents a viable Premier League option, having spent the past two seasons as a key player in Everton’s first team.
Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, the left-footed defender has been described as “very complete” by his former PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. While he may not be inexpensive, he appears to be an ideal candidate to fill the left-side position.
RWB – Amad
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have both played as right-wing backs in recent months, although neither player is particularly known for their attacking prowess. In fact, Dalot has recorded only 22 goal contributions in 202 appearances for the club thus far.
With United missing out on Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP, who is now set to join Chelsea, Amorim may continue to utilize Amad in that wide position, where the Ivorian has shown comfort, or alternatively, in a central attacking role.
Before suffering an injury, the 22-year-old had scored nine goals and provided seven assists this season, establishing himself as a key player for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
CM – Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte, who was previously part of the Sporting roster under Amorim, is expected to play a significant role in the new management’s plans, having demonstrated his potential since joining from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
At just 23 years old, Ugarte netted his inaugural goal for the club at Goodison last month. He embodies the tireless work ethic that his manager seeks, as evidenced by his position in the top 1% of midfielders across Europe for tackles made per 90 minutes.
CM – Ederson
Bruno Fernandes has recently adopted a more defensive position, but is this a strategy for the long term? As highlighted by Carl Anka from The Athletic in his analysis of Amorim’s Sporting team, the ‘central midfielders in Amorim’s 3-4-3 are primarily selected for their athleticism and tackling abilities.’
It is important to note that Fernandes does not meet these criteria; however, Atalanta’s Brazilian player, Ederson, could be a suitable candidate. The 25-year-old has been linked with a potential transfer to Old Trafford this summer.
Similar to Ugarte, the Europa League champion excels at winning the ball, as evidenced by his ranking in the top 10% of Serie A this season for interceptions, suggesting a potentially ideal partnership in the midfield.
LWB – Patrick Dorgu
Acquired for £30 million from Lecce in January, Dorgu has made a strong impression in English football, even though he faced the disappointment of receiving a red card in the match against Ipswich Town.
Nevertheless, the talented Dane has settled well into the left wing-back position, particularly standing out during the 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad, where he not only earned a penalty but also triumphed in 11 duels throughout the game.
RAM – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes, the standout player for Manchester United at present—perhaps even for the past decade—has been in exceptional form recently, contributing six goals and assists in his last four league matches.
Although this revival has occurred while playing in a deeper position, it would be more advantageous in the long run to have the Portuguese playmaker positioned nearer to the goal once more. The 30-year-old possesses the requisite skills to shine in one of the two number ten roles.
LAM – Alejandro Garnacho
The recent victory against Leicester concluded a prolonged period without goals for Alejandro Garnacho, who remains tied as the second-highest scorer for United this season with nine goals.
While his tendency to squander opportunities can be exasperating, the 20-year-old consistently contributes to the game with his energy and direct approach, making a strong case for a starting position in Amorim’s lineup. Although there were discussions about a potential departure in January, INEOS should resist any temptation to sell.
ST – Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed to net only six goals in the Premier League collectively this season. Therefore, acquiring a new centre-forward must be the top priority this summer. Enter Victor Osimhen.
With a reported release clause of merely £63 million, the Napoli striker—who has scored 26 goals while on loan at Galatasaray this season—would not necessitate a significant financial outlay from United. At 26 years old, he strikes an ideal balance between experience and potential for further development.
Gianluca Aztori, a Serie A legend, has previously likened him to a “younger Edinson Cavani,” suggesting that the Nigerian star could be the solution to the Red Devils’ persistent attacking challenges.
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