'I am told' - Man United's midfield transfer plan with two targets who could make January move
Man Utd will have to deal with the loss of Bruno Fernandes with an update on who Ruben Amorim could turn to.
Ruben Amorim will have to find a way to cope without Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United look up the table and at the Champions League places.
The absence of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo due to the African Cup of Nations only makes matters worse with United being linked with a move for Ruben Neves, even if the Portugal international plays a deeper role to Fernandes. How long the captain is out for might affect United’s plans, however, it looks like Amorim is looking long-term rather than for any short-term fixes.
Who will Man United replace Bruno Fernandes with?
Writing on the GiveMeSport newsletter, Ben Jacobs has claimed that there will be no panic buys in January and that Amorim could turn to two players who are already in his squad: “The injury won't necessarily change January transfer plans because Fernandes is expected back at some point in January. However, his absence gives both Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte the chance to show what they can do.
“Manchester United have also told Mainoo to be patient and wait until the festive period because he's likely to get more minutes, and that's even more likely now Fernandes is sidelined. It's a shame Mainoo picked up a minor calf injury on Saturday, otherwise he could have started against Aston Villa.
“Sources close to the player say Mainoo would like to be loaned to Napoli to get game time ahead of the World Cup, but Manchester United don't want to sanction an exit. I don't expect the club's position to change unless they find another central midfielder in January.”
Who is on Man United’s shopping list?
If United target signings for this season, Neves is one who wants to move quickly and return to the Premier League with Jacobs naming another possible player who could arrive during the winter window: “I am told the club's plan is to add two new senior midfielders in 2026: one as a more defined six, and a second box-to-box player. Ruben Amorim wants ball winners and pace in the centre of the park. But Manchester United are not going to panic buy. They will only add in January if the right profile presents itself, otherwise they are prepared to wait until the summer.
“Conor Gallagher is one mid-season possibility, and Ruben Neves is another option reportedly linked, although United haven't yet made contact with the player or Al-Hilal yet. Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson are high in United's thinking for the summer, while Angelo Stiller and Adam Wharton have also been discussed.”
Amorim is more than happy to work with what he’s got and might finally give Mainoo the minutes that he has been begging for. Joshua Zirkzee is having to wait for the AFCON pair to return before he can leave for Roma with Mainoo almost certainly having no chance of a mid-season exit if Fernandes is out long-term. Having spent much of Amorim’s time in charge waiting for his chance, he can’t let it pass him by.