Double £150m summer transfer haul could give Ruben Amorim a new look Manchester United
The Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United has officially begun and two new faces could accelerate the transformation.
Amorim will train at Carrington for the first time on Monday, ending a successful four-and-a-half-year spell in charge of Portuguese side Sporting.
During that period, Amorim led Sporting to their first Primeira Liga title in 20 years during the 2020/21 season and achieved the same feat last season.
With their penchant for league titles, United fans will be hoping Amorim can be the first man since Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 to bring a Premier League trophy to Old Trafford.
However, those same supporters are well aware that the transformation will not happen overnight.
Firstly, United's players will need time to familiarize themselves with Amorim's. recognized 3-4-3 system.
talkSPORT understands the 39-year-old is wedded to the formation, which morphs into a 3-2-5 shape in attack and 5-2-3 in defence.
It is a high-intensity, possession-based approach that United's current crop of stars must adapt to.
But, as football columnist Henry Winter pointed out on talkSPORT in October, not every player will fit Amorim's profile.
“They have a fantastic coach who plays a completely different style,” Winter said.
“He plays 3-4-3. It will be different from 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
“So, once again, they will have to enter the transfer market and get stronger, bring in stronger characters, stronger players physically and mentally.”
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It means United will have to spend even more, as parted with £178 million last summer to bring in Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.
Several of those signings have failed to make their mark this season and United's football department was asked why they gave the green light to such a huge outlay for Erik ten Hag, who was fired on October 28.
Amorim would no doubt have sought assurances from the likes of United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sporting director Dan Ashworth regarding the funds available.
Given the Red Devils' big summer spending, Amorim may not have much to work with in January.
The upcoming offseason represents the 39-year-old's best opportunity to make some key additions to improve his team.
United will be linked with a host of stars from across the continent when the window opens, as it usually does.
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But two names that will feature more prominently than any other in those rumors are Jarrad Branthwaite and Viktor Gyokeres.
United called up Branthwaite last summer but had two offers worth up to £50m. rejected by Everton.
However, talkSPORT understands the Red Devils. will return once again for the 22-year-old centre-back, who remains at the top of his wish list.
Ashworth is understood to believe Branthwaite would suit Amorim's style of play and 3-4-3 system.
Gyokeres is another name known to Ashworth as he sold the Swedish marksman to Coventry City. for just £1 million in 2021 during his time as Brighton manager.
The 26-year-old scored 40 goals in 97 games for the Sky Blues before moving to Sporting in July 2023 for a modest £24m.
Gyokeres has only improved as the sole striker in Amorim's system, having scored 43 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions last season.
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The Swede has continued his excellent form this campaign with 16 league goals in 10 games and five goals in the Champions League, including an impressive hat-trick at Sporting. 4-1 win of Manchester City.
Reports claim that Gyokeres has a £84m termination clause in his contract, but Amorim has refused to entertain any conversation to bring his star man with him to Old Trafford.
However, the 39-year-old will change his mind next summer if United activate Gyokeres' release clause.
So if the likes of Ratcliffe and Ashworth decide to part with more than £150m next summer for Branthwaite and Gyokeres, how would they fit into the team?
Since Branthwaite is left-footed, the most logical position for him in Amorim's defensive line is as a left center back or as a main central defender.
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The Everton man can play as a right centre-back, but given that United have other options who can also play there, it makes sense to play to his strengths.
Branthwaite also recorded a top speed of 35.1 kmh (21.8 mph) in the Premier League last season, the eighth fastest of all central defenders in the English top flight.
With that level of speed, it strengthens the argument for Branthwaite to line up at left centre-back given that he is more likely to be called upon to do those recovery sprints there than at centre-back.
It would be Lisandro Martínez, who Jamie Carragher aims to play as a left centre-back in his planned United line-up under Amorim, he would be the most likely to make way.
Branthwaite would join the back three of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, who are likely to play as a centre-back and right centre-back respectively.
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Gyokeres has the advantage of learning the intricacies of Amorim's system over a season and a half, so would need little, if any, time to adapt if he follows the 39-year-old to United.
Since Amorim uses one striker and two attacking midfielders in its setup, Gyokeres would go straight to the top.
Based on what Amorim will have at his disposal when he first arrives, Rasmus Hojlund looms as the likely choice to start at forward.
But if the Swedish star moves to Old Trafford, Hojlund has a good chance of being benched to accommodate him.
With Everton rejecting multiple bids of around £50m for Branthwaite, United may have to come back to the table with an offer of £60m or more.
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Sporting may also not settle for a penny less than Gyokeres' £84m release clause, forcing United to once again loosen the strings.
But if the duo help accelerate Amorim's project at Old Trafford, the Red Devils could prove to be money well spent.
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