The January window will offer Ruben Amorim his first chance to put his own stamp on the Manchester United squad he inherited from Erik Ten Hag.
Ten Hag was backed to the tune of more than £200million last summer after the club’s hierarchy opted to renew his contract in the aftermath of the FA Cup triumph, only to then swing the axe within months.
Amorim’s markedly different playing style and structure means the Portuguese will no doubt have plenty of ideas about where his squad needs improvement - but how much will he be able to do in the middle of the campaign, with suggestions that his budget will be limited?
Top priority
United are known to be keen to sign a new left-wing-back next month in order to suit Amorim’s back-three system.
Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have both continued to be plagued by injuries, managing just three Premier League appearances between them so far this season.
Amorim has mainly used Diogo Dalot in that position so far but the Portuguese is more comfortable on the right.
What else they need
A centre-forward remains a massive need for United, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee still yet to convince, but it seems unlikely that the marquee addition fans are calling for could happen in January.
Another attacking wide player could also be required, depending on outgoings, but Lenny Yoro’s return to fitness means centre-back reinforcements can wait until the summer, when both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are due to be out of contract.
Possible ins
Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras, Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez are the specialist left-wing-backs who have been most consistently linked with United.
Davies is due to be out of contract this summer and is therefore free to negotiate with overseas clubs from January 1.
Elsewhere, United are reported to be keen on Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling. Already appearing destined for the Championship, Saints may be tempted to cash-in now.
Possible outs
The headline departure would be Marcus Rashford, who suggested in a recent interview that he is “ready for a new challenge”.
Paris Saint-Germain have long-standing interest but the Englishman’s wages mean there are few obvious landing spots.
Elsewhere, Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are among those whose contracts are up at the end of the season and either could leave in a cut-price deal.
