Ruben Amorim's dream Manchester United XI if he lands FOUR transfers in January

Manchester United have entered 2025 in the doldrums following four straight defeats that have shown Ruben Amorim just what he’s signed himself up for.

Amorim has won just four of his first 11 games in charge of United, who have failed to score in their last three matches to make the derby win over Manchester City feel like a fever dream. The 39-year-old manager admitted that, in an ideal world, he would have liked to take the job in the summer, when he would have a transfer window and a pre-season to shape his squad.

That wasn’t to be, with United making it clear it was now or never, and he is now trying to turn things around with matches coming thick and fast. The past few weeks have made it plainly obvious that some of the players he inherited from Erik ten Hag simply aren’t up to the standard required.

Amorim is keen to offload some unwanted players in the January transfer window, starting with Marcus Rashford, but he would also love to bring in some new faces. That may be difficult, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe on a cost-cutting exercise and profit and sustainability rules biting, but United fans can dream.

One of the most obvious issues for Amorim so far has come on the left side of defence, where both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been unable to stay fit to play in his chosen 3-4-3 formation. That has left the right-footed Diogo Dalot to play on the wrong side, creating an imbalance in the team.

Signing a left-footed player who has the engine to get up and down the pitch and contribute in both attack and defence is a priority for Amorim. Alphonso Davies is out of contract with Bayern Munich in June and has been attracting lots of transfer interest, with United and Real Madrid among the potential suitors.

His agent, Nick Huoseh, has been shopping Davies around to try and drum up interest in the 24-year-old, who would be an ideal fit for United’s system. Needless to say, it would be difficult for 14th-placed United to land such a high-calibre player – especially when Real Madrid are the other option – but they can dream; especially since Real's No.1 target is a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold, rather than the Canada international.

Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images) DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

The 2-0 defeat by Newcastle removed any doubt that the careers of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro at United are over. Amorim needs more energy in midfield to partner Kobbie Mainoo and he only had to look at the other side at Old Trafford to see the kind of player he requires. Bruno Guimaraes was outstanding against United – and Newcastle’s own struggles with PSR rules could offer a glimmer of hope.

“The days when teams don’t sell big players are gone,” Eddie Howe admitted in December. “I think our revenue streams aren’t where we want them to be. We’re still trying to grow them, so I think that trading in and out is going to be essential. Hopefully it’s not going to be players that we’re forced to sell but you can’t guarantee anything.”

It would need to be a huge offer - £100million plus.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Manchester United sign in January? Comment below.

Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Barcelona's financial issues could offer another solution for United. Dani Olmo is stuck in limbo at the Catalan giants and clubs are circling. He joined Barca from RB Leipzig for £51million in the summer, but is currently not registered for the second half of the season due to the club’s nightmare situation.

A Catalan court has blocked Barca's appeal against La Liga's decision to reject Olmo's registration, meaning he is currently a free agent. Olmo would be an ideal player to partner Bruno Fernandes in the twin No.10 role, given his creativity, goalscoring nous and athletic ability.

United have failed to score in their last three games and, with Rashford being frozen out, it’s clear they need reinforcements up front. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are young and inconsistent and are better suited to back-up roles, although Zirkzee - jeered when substituted in the first half against Newcastle - could even depart, with Juventus keen to take him back to Serie A immediately.

Enter Viktor Gyokeres , Amorim’s goal machine at Sporting Lisbon. The Swede has banged in 27 goals in 27 games this season for Sporting and has 70 in 77 altogether for the Portuguese giants. He is strong, fast, can run in behind or hold up the ball and is deadly in front of goal.

Needless to say, he won’t come cheap, but if anyone can tempt Gyokeres to leave then it is surely the manager who he thrived under before. He just needs to persuade Ratcliffe to loosen the purse strings first.

Ruben Amorim’s dream Manchester United XI (3-4-3): Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Davies, Mainoo, Guimaraes, Amad; Fernandes, Olmo, Gyokeres.

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to read article