Man Utd planning big January transfer window as Ruben Amorim 'targets two players'

Manchester United are preparing to make moves in the winter transfer window at the dawn of the club’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim, according to reports. January is a notoriously challenging month for recruiting reinforcements capable of making an instant impact and changing the course of a season.

United have previously signed interlopers in that narrative, most recently with the £47million capture of club captain Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.

And the Red Devils may have to deliver again as Amorim prepares to mould the squad he’s inheriting from Erik ten Hag into his own vision.

The 39-year-old is expected to apply his trademark 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford, which in itself invites hurdles to leap for a club that has operated with a back four for the vast majority of its long history.

He will need players capable of fitting the demands of that formation, as well as upgrades on United’s underachieving current ranks.

According to Sky Germany, United are on the hunt for an affordable striker to bolster their attacking firepower in the New Year.

Ten Hag splashed £108.5m to sign Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the past two summer transfer windows. However, neither has yet to score goals consistently.

Hojlund was United’s top goalscorer in his debut season, netting 16 times, including on five occasions in the Champions League group stage.

However, the 21-year-old has also endured long droughts and is still burdened with a rawness that highlights why he was signed for his potential rather than current quality.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee has suffered greatly since scoring the late decider from the bench in United’s 1-0 win against Fulham on the Premier League’s opening weekend.

He has failed to find the net while missing a catalogue of good chances across his 14 appearances since, losing his starting status to Hojlund.

His ability to hold the ball up and link play between other forwards has led to suggestions that Zirkzee could play as one of Amorim’s two attacking midfielders/inside forwards rather than his explosive No. 9.

That could clarify United’s reported search for a budget striker, who may be viewed as a cover option for Hojlund.

The report adds that United are also looking to sign another central midfielder, with Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka being closely monitored.

However, it’s claimed that the 29-year-old has no plans to leave Bayern this winter, which should direct the search elsewhere.

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, both 32, join Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo and Amorim’s options for his midfield partnership. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount could also drop deeper.