Managing Man Utd: Bruno Fernandes departs and Ruben Amorim makes three new signings

Manchester United sit 10th, just seven games into the Premier League season, and after a busy summer, the January transfer window could look equally as hectic

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim could be set for a telling January transfer window should the Portuguese boss still be in charge at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have mustered just 10 points from their opening seven Premier League matches this season.

Having already suffered three losses, not including a bitterly disappointing defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, Amorim is well and truly in the United hotseat. A 2-0 home win against Sunderland on Saturday eased these concerns but a daunting trip to Anfield is next and a bad result there could undo any positives.

Should Amorim remain in charge until January then some personnel changes will inevitably have to be made. Bruno Fernandes continues to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and the new year could be an ideal time to sell up.

United's defence also needs some repairs and a goalkeeper might be eyed as Mirror Football takes a look at all the ins and outs that could occur when the transfer window reopens.

New shot-stopper signed if Senne Lammens isn't up to it

The Red Devils have long been crying out for a consistent and confident pair of hands between the sticks. Andre Onana was a failed buy from Inter Milan and cost nearly £50million. Altay Bayindir has also failed to impress.

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After a string of critical errors from both of these shot-stoppers, the former having now been shipped off on loan to Trabzonspor, young Belgian ace Senne Lammens was signed on deadline day for an initial £18.2m. He had impressed in the Belgian Pro League, and fans were thankful to see him handed his debut against Sunderland.

The bar was set so low that simple catches during this match were cheered. But Lammens was assured on his first start for the club, so much so that chants of "Are you [Peter] Schmeichel in disguise?" bellowed down.

A stunning save just before half-time to deny Granti Xhaka compounded a calm 90 minutes on the ball. Perhaps most importantly, he seemed dominant when balls came into the box from crosses and corners.

It is too early to tell whether Lammens will be the solution, but if in a few months' time it turns out he is not, then a hefty fee might have to be tabled for a well-thought-of goalkeeper. Porto's Diogo Costa has been Portugal's No. 1 for some time and is just 26 years of age.

His contract expires in 2027, and he has yet to agree on a new one. This deal reportedly includes a release clause of £65,m and Sky Switzerland reported that Amorim's side had shown interest this summer before snapping up Lammens.

'Unhappy' Bruno Fernandes shown exit door

While one Portugal international could arrive at Old Trafford, another could depart. The Manchester Evening News reports that Saudi Pro League clubs who approached United with a £100m package for club captain Fernandes this summer could return in January.

And although Fernandes has been United's saviour on numerous occasions and is still debatably their best player, perhaps now isn't the worst time to cash in. Fernandes' contract expires in 2027, when he will be on the verge of turning 33.

Primarily, though, it is Amorim's reluctance to alter his system that means Fernandes' leaving isn't so far-fetched. The Portuguese ace has been forced to play in a deeper midfield role as opposed to his ideal No. 10 and often looks out of depth defensively.

Amorim has said not even the Pope will get him to change how he sets up, and so as long as the 40-year-old is in charge, Fernandes will be compromising. The Daily Mail even reports Fernandes is unhappy with where he is being played.

A fee of £100m, if that is indeed how much a 31-year-old Fernandes may fetch, would go a long way to securing the club's midfield. Brighton's Carlos Baleba could be brought in as a holding option, with Bayern Munich's Aleksandar Pavlovic an alternative, according to German outlet BILD.

Kobbie Mainoo, who broke out as a technical box-to-box player alongside the more defensive Declan Rice for England at Euro 2024, could also be ushered back into first-team contention. Losing a player as impactful as Fernandes may seem ridiculous, but should that offer come it would be too hard to turn down.

Luke Shaw replaced as head coach gets reunion

One thing that has become clear at United, with the new season underway, is that a left-sided centre-half is desperately needed. Luke Shaw simply isn't cutting it, and he was savaged by Roy Keane for his Manchester derby performance.

It remains to be seen what funds are available to United in January but if the club want to back Amorim then an ideal signing would be Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio. The 24-year-old won two league titles under Amorim, is suited to his system and would slot in perfectly to the left of Matthijs de Ligt.

A Bola reported over the summer that both United and Liverpool were keen on Inacio and a £52m release clause is present in his current contract which expires in 2027. Inacio is a regular for his country and helped them to the UEFA Nations League this year.

It seems written in the stars that Inacio touches down in Manchester to help shore up the club's backline and with his deal up so soon Amorim's former employers could have their arms twisted.

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