Despite his initial reservations, Ruben Amorim was coaxed into joining Manchester United mid-season, with the Portuguese tactician having been selected as the man to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Whether the 40-year-old regrets jumping ship remains to be seen, although both he and the United hierarchy now face a pivotal summer of recruitment, following what’s been yet another dour campaign.
Having been afforded the last few months to test out the current squad in his preferred 3-4-3 set-up, Amorim now requires the appropriate reinforcements to turn his dream into a reality.
The evolution of the squad has, it must be said, already begun following the signings of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in January, while recent weeks have also seen the emergence of the likes of Chido Obi and Harry Amass from the ever-fruitful academy ranks.
Turning to Carrington could be a wise solution for the cash-strapped side, although statement signings are no doubt needed, with Amorim hinting that the club will have to sell to buy this summer.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how the Red Devils could lineup next season, if the necessary moves are made…
1 GK – James Trafford
Recent speculation has suggested that Amorim is keen on signing a new goalkeeper, with talkSPORT also reporting that current number one, Andre Onana, would be open to sealing a departure, amid Saudi interest.
Talk surrounding the 28-year-old’s future has also come following claims that United are in the mix for Burnley’s James Trafford, with the promising Englishman – who was named in Thomas Tuchel’s first Three Lions squad – having been a key figure in a side that kept 12 consecutive clean sheets in the Championship earlier this season.
Still only 22, the Manchester City youth product would represent an ideal, long-term acquisition to United’s goalkeeping ranks.
2 RCB – Leny Yoro
Injuries have been the story of Leny Yoro’s debut campaign at Old Trafford, although having fought off Real Madrid for his signature, United certainly have high hopes for the teenage centre-back.
The 19-year-old hasn’t been a consistent presence, although with his quality on the ball and elite recovery pace – a trait showcased by his stunning last-ditch tackle on Darwin Nunez at Anfield – he appears to be perfect for that right centre-back role.
3 CB – Matthijs de Ligt
Having overcome a shaky start in Manchester, Matthijs de Ligt has been quietly excellent of late as part of the back three, elevating himself to one of the leaders in Amorim’s side.
As he evidenced against Leicester City last time out, following a vital block on Facundo Buonanotte, the Dutchman is a real old-school “warrior”, as noted by one content creator, and at just 25, he could be a mainstay for years to come in the heart of the defence.
4 LCB – Jarrad Branthwaite
Reportedly the subject of a £35m bid by United last summer, Jarrad Branthwaite is likely to again be on the Red Devils’ radar this time around, particularly with Lisandro Martinez having been struck down by an ACL injury.
The rise of young Heaven has helped to ease that blow, although Branthwaite – who is still only 22 – is a ready-made Premier League option, having spent the last two seasons in Everton’s first-team ranks.
The 6 foot 5 left-footer – who his former PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy described as “very complete” – won’t come cheap, although he looks perfect to slot into that left-side berth.
5 RWB – Amad
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have both lined up at right-wing back in recent months, although neither man truly possesses a natural attacking threat. Indeed, Dalot has just 22 goal involvements to his name in 202 games for the club to date.
With United missing out on Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda, who is now Chelsea-bound, Amorim could then persist with Amad in that wide role, with the Ivorian looking comfortable in that berth, or as a number ten.
With nine goals and seven assists to his name this season, prior to being struck down by injury, the 22-year-old has made himself one of the first names on the team sheet, ahead of 2025/26.
6 CM – Manuel Ugarte
Previously on the books at Sporting under Amorim, Manuel Ugarte is likely to be a key figure moving forward under the new regime, having shown flashes of his quality since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
The 23-year-old – who scored his first goal for the club at Goodison last month – possesses the relentless work ethic that his manager is looking for from his side, a fact epitomised by his ranking in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe for tackles made per 90.
7 CM – Ederson
Bruno Fernandes has taken up a deeper role of late, but is that the long-term plan? As The Athletic’s Carl Anka noted, when writing about Amorim’s Sporting side, the ‘central midfielders in Amorim’s 3-4-3 are chosen for their athleticism and tackling qualities first and foremost’.
Fernandes, it must be said, does not fit the bill in that regard, although someone who could is Atalanta’s Brazilian machine, Ederson, with the 25-year-old one of those being linked with a summer move to Old Trafford.
Like Ugarte, the Europa League winner is an adept ball winner, as shown by the fact he ranks in the top 10% in Serie A this season for interceptions, making it a potentially dream partnership in the centre of the park.
8 LWB – Patrick Dorgu
Having been snapped up on a £30m deal from Lecce in January, Dorgu has enjoyed a bright start to life in English football, despite suffering the setback of seeing red against Ipswich Town.
Aside from that, the promising Dane has looked at home in that left wing-back berth, having notably impressed in the 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, after winning a penalty and winning 11 duels in total.
9 RAM – Bruno Fernandes
Man United’s man of the moment – or man of the decade – Fernandes has been in red-hot form of late, having chalked up six goals and assists across his last four league outings.
While that resurgence has come in a deep-lying role, in the long-term, it would be preferable to get the Portuguese playmaker operating closer to goal once again, with the 30-year-old boasting the necessary tools to dazzle in one of the two number ten berths.
10 LAM – Alejandro Garnacho
The win over Leicester last time out marked the end of a lengthy goal drought for Alejandro Garnacho, albeit with the Argentine still the joint-second top scorer for United this season with nine goals.
His penchant for missed chances may frustrate at times, but the 20-year-old always seems to make things happen when he plays, with such dynamism and directness ensuring he is deserving of a starting berth in Amorim’s side. Talk of an exit was mooted in January, yet INEOS should not be tempted into a sale.
11 ST – Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have scored just six Premier League goals between them this season. A new centre-forward quite simply has to be the priority this summer. Enter, Victor Osimhen.
Possessing a reported release clause of ‘just’ £63m, the Napoli marksman – who has scored 26 times on loan at Galatasaray this term – wouldn’t require United to break the bank, while at 26, he offers that perfect blend of experience and room to develop.
Previously described as like a “younger [Edinson] Cavani” by Serie A legend, Gianluca Aztori, the Nigerian sensation could be the answer to the Red Devils’ long-standing attacking woes.