Man Utd 'submit offer' for Ruben Amorim favourite as £33m approach made for 12-time international

Manchester United have expressed a strong interest in signing highly-rated Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio in the January transfer window.

The Red Devils have shipped 28 goals in their opening 20 Premier League matches and despite encouraging performances against both Liverpool in the league and Arsenal in the FA Cup, the club remain keen to strengthen their backline to give themselves the strongest possible chance of mounting a European push in the second half of the season.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is known for playing a 3-4-3 formation, which is heavily reliant on ball-playing centre backs with excellent distribution and the ability to remain composed in possession. As it stands, he has Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Mathijis De Ligt and a fit again Lenny Yoro competing for a starting spot, but Amorim still feels this is an area that his team need to strengthen.

Maisfutebol reports that Amorim is plotting a massive move for Inacio despite previously stating that he wouldn’t go after any of his former players from Sporting in this transfer window.

“I will not sign any Sporting player at Man United in January… then, what happens in the summer I don't know,“ previously Amorim explained. “Sporting players are good players. We will see what happens…”

However, despite these comments on Amorim is believed to be edging closer to a move for 12-time Portugal international Inacio. Reports state that the Red Devils have made an initial six-month loan offer to the Portuguese champions, which also includes an obligation for a permanent £33m deal at the end of the current campaign.

Inacio is under contract until 2027 and remains a key part of the Sporting sider as they chase the league title in Portugal. As things stand, they sit one point clear of Porto at the top of the table after a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Benfica in the Taca de Liga final.

What would Goncalo Inacio bring to Manchester United?

Goncalo Inacio is one of a number of hugely-talented names to have progressed through the Sporting academy under Ruben Amorim’s stewardship. The 23-year-old, who is also comfortably able to operate as a left-back and defensive midfielder, progressed into the senior team at Sporting in the 2020/21 season and made 20 league appearances in his debut campaign as the club ended a 19-year wait for the title.

Inacio quickly developed into a regular fixture in Amorim’s team after his debut campaign and was an ever present for three seasons as the Lions competed with Porto and Benfica for the title while also winning the Taça da Liga and progressing to the round-of-16 in the Champions League and quarter-final of the Europa League before lifting the league title for a second time.

The young defender has racked up a total of 191 appearances for Sporting and has scored 18 goals while contributing 12 assists. The 12-time Portugal international is blessed with excellent passing ability, composure in possession and brilliant defensive awareness.