How Manchester United could line up next season if Ruben Amorim lands top targets | OneFootball

Manchester United are aiming to make early moves in the transfer window ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first summer in charge.

The Red Devils have endured their worst-ever Premier League campaign and are set to finish in the top-flight’s bottom half for the first time in 35 years. Amorim arrived as Erik ten Hag’s successor in November and has spent recent months assessing his squad.

Creativity, goals and a progressive midfielder are all understood to be on the summer wish list. A move for Wolves’ midfielder Matheus Cunha is already in motion, while there are concrete links to several other options.

We’ve looked at how Manchester United could line up next season if Ruben Amorim lands his leading transfer targets.

How Manchester United could line up next season if Ruben Amorim lands top targets

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia

Andre Onana’s unconvincing performances could lead Manchester United back into the market for a new goalkeeper. Onana has made eight errors directly leading to goals in all competitions since joining the Red Devils – more than any other Premier League goalkeeper.

Joan Garcia has been named as a potential target and United are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal and Barcelona for the Spanish shot-stopper.

Garcia has been one of La Liga’s top goalkeepers this season, leading the division for saves (118), prevented goals (7.6) and ranking fourth for save percentage. At 23, he fits the profile of player the Red Devils are aiming to recruit and has an affordable £21m release clause. A first-choice role at Old Trafford could tempt Garcia to turn down rival interest.

Centre-backs: Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw

Ruben Amorim looks unlikely to deviate from his preferred 3-4-2-1 system for next season.

Leny Yoro has been arguably the most eye-catching of last summer’s signings and is a player of huge potential, while Matthijs de Ligt should be improved from a season of adaptation to English football. The Dutch defender ranks in the top 10 players in the Premier League for the percentage of dribblers tackled and in the top 20% of centre-backs for aerial duels won, interceptions and xG – proving a threat in both boxes.

Luke Shaw’s recent return from injury is welcome after a nightmare period. The left-sided centre-back role is one Shaw has played before and the 29-year-old could aid United’s progression issues and flexibility from that position. It’s also less physically demanding than wing-back for a footballer who has been plagued by muscular problems.

Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and the currently sidelined Lisandro Martinez all offer alternatives, with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to leave this summer.

Midfield: Amad Diallo, Manuel Ugarte, Adam Wharton, Patrick Dorgu

Amad Diallo’s exciting establishment in the Manchester United team was arguably the silver lining of a disappointing season. The Ivorian was excellent both at wing-back and further forward before an ankle injury sidelined him for the run-in.

Diallo scored six goals and created six more for the Red Devils – including some clutch moments – though it’s his intensity off the ball that perhaps makes him perfect for Amorim’s plan. Diallo ranked in the top 10% of wingers in the Premier League this season for tackles won, ball recoveries and carries into the penalty area per 90. He was also the Premier League leader for defensive actions that led to a shot.

Patrick Dorgu was signed in January and should line up on the opposite flank, with the Denmark international another signed with the future in mind.

Manuel Ugarte has had his critics this season but is a player Amorim knows well. A prolific ball-winner, the Uruguayan requires a more progressive player alongside him in the pivot.

Adam Wharton has all the hallmarks of the ideal complement to Ugarte. The 21-year-old’s game is built on the simplistic brilliance to receive, angle and move the ball forward at pace. There are similarities to Michael Carrick, a player who has not truly been replaced since his retirement in 2018. Crystal Palace, however, will not let Wharton leave on the cheap.

Attacking midfield: Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha

Not for the first time, Bruno Fernandes has carried Manchester United at times this season. The Portugal international is the only player in Europe’s top five leagues to have made 70+ tackles and created 70+ chances. He’s the club’s leading goal threat, creator, and their best in the build-up, with this summer’s transfer window designed to ease the over-reliance.

Enter, Matheus Cunha.

Manchester United have made an early move to sign Cunha, who has a release clause of £62.5m in his contract at Wolves. The 25-year-old has been a huge hit since his arrival at Molineux, scoring 26 goals and creating 11 more across the last two league seasons.

This campaign, he’s among the Premier League’s top players for non-penalty goals (6th), shots on target per 90 (2nd), successful take-ons (7th) and fouls drawn (2nd). A strong physical presence with goal threat and an ability to beat players through the middle, he has thrived in a similar system at Wolves.

Forward: Liam Delap

The bright light in an otherwise difficult season for Ipswich Town. Delap’s first full season at Premier League level has delivered 12 league goals in a struggling side – and countless headaches for opposition centre-backs. The 22-year-old is a powerful old-school presence, ready to ruffle the feathers of defenders.

At times this season he’s been required to create chances alone, with an ability to hold off defenders, turn, and surge into open space. Delap is not the finished article and there will be reservations over the signing of another forward project, given how Rasmus Hojlund has regressed this season. However, the potential is clear and a £30m release clause makes Delap a gamble worth taking.

Read – Cunha holds ‘very positive’ talks over Man United transfer

See more – Five relegated players Premier League teams should sign

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