£50m striker joins Man Utd as Ruben Amorim reunites with defender in dream XI if transfer rumours are true

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admitted he is keen to improve his squad but has warned it is “really hard” to get transfer deals over the line. The Red Devils’ inconsistency was displayed again on Sunday afternoon as they lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

United had won their last three games in all competitions but saw that streak come to an abrupt end. It is the ninth time this season the Red Devils have failed to score in a game as Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee were both dropped in favour of playing Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine.

On trying to bring somebody into the club before Monday’s 11pm deadline, Amorim said: "Yeah, we have to improve as a team to score goals, and we are trying the best to improve the team. This market is really hard on the clubs, to make some deals here, it’s hard. Then you have this urgency, sometimes when you are in this moment, you make some mistakes, we are trying everything. We want so bad to improve, I want so bad to improve the team, I know what the team needs, but sometimes it’s possible or not, but we are trying everything."

United have signed Patrick Dorgu this month and a new forward is a priority. They have also been linked with a new defender since the window opened as we look at how the starting XI might look for Amorim if those rumours come true.

Inacio reunion for Amorim

It was reported earlier this month that United had expressed a strong interest in signing highly-rated Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio in the January window. Reports stated that the Red Devils 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 side as they chase the league title in Portugal. The player worked under Amorim before the United boss was appointed to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

However, Amorim had put the deal in doubt before the rumours emerged. He said: “I will not sign any Sporting player at Man United in January… then, what happens in the summer I don't know. Sporting players are good players. We will see what happens.”

Tel deal completed

United are in for wantaway Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel. Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur had agreed a £50m deal to sign the player but the striker rejected a move to North London with reports claiming he favours a switch to Old Trafford. The Red Devils could not stump up the same fee as Spurs and would rather look at a loan. Marcus Rashford is poised to move to Aston Villa in a surprise development over the weekend with his exit clearing room on the wage bill.

Asked about Tel after the defeat to Palace, Amorim said: "Like I said, when the window has closed, we will see the players, I am focused to improve the team as a group. We need to win more games, we will try to do that, this season is like that. We need to win, small improvements, try to win points, give winning momentum, then we have setbacks and then we go again. But I think it’s clear that we need to improve."

Manchester United’s dream starting XI come the end of the window would see Inacio and Tel slot in to provide Amorim with more solidity in defence and more goals up front. Lisandro Martinez does not feature given he is facing some time out with an injury he picked up against Palace.

United’s starting XI if transfer rumours are true: Onana; Mazraoui, Inacio, Maguire, De Ligt, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes, Diallo, Tel.

In other news, it might be the January transfer window, but Manchester United already know what they want to do in the summer.