A look at Manchester United headlines as Ruben Amorim speaks about the upcoming January transfer window and Nani tells the club to target one of his former team-mates
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has discussed Manchester United's plans for the January transfer window
View 3 Images
Manchester United have already been named in connection with several players as they prepare for the January transfer window. While United's primary focus remains their Premier League campaign, recruitment plans will be being formulated behind the scenes.
The club's summer signings have made a significant impact early on, with Senne Lammens stepping up as first-choice goalkeeper and forwards Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko bolstering the team's attack. Manager Ruben Amorim is hopeful of securing more positive signings when the transfer window reopens in January.
However, Amorim is also aware that some members of his squad may want to seek moves away from Old Trafford, particularly with the World Cup approaching. In addition, former United star Nani has urged the club to disrupt a Premier League rival's transfer plans.
Ruben Amorim discusses January transfer window
Ruben Amorim has admitted he expects some of his United players will request to leave the club in January. Despite having a somewhat settled side, certain players, such as Kobbie Mainoo, who submitted a loan request over the summer, are struggling for regular game time.
"A lot of things can happen," Amorim said in a recent press conference. "Even in our club, and you know that we have the World Cup, some players are not playing, they will ask to leave, so I have to manage everything."
However, the United manager isn't only thinking about departures. Amorim has made it clear that the club will target players who can make a lasting contribution to his squad.
"We want to bring players, everyone here, we want to bring players that we can see a big future in Manchester United," he continued. "We are not just buying one guy because now we feel in December that we need this kind of player for now.
"We want to buy players that we know we are not going to change a lot of times. So that is our idea. I don't know what is going to happen. But of course, we think about how we can improve the team, and in January, the window is open, we can do something."
Man United urged to revive Joao Palhinha interest
Joao Palhinha of Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have an option to make Joao Palhinha's loan move permanent
View 3 Images
Former United winger Nani reckons the club should revisit their interest in Joao Palhinha, who opted for Bayern Munich over Old Trafford last year. The Portuguese midfielder has since joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan, where he has become a regular, with Spurs holding a £27million option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Nani played alongside Palhinha at Sporting CP and is convinced he would thrive at United. "He's a player with energy, with power to recover balls and to fight - and that is something that fits into Man United's DNA," Nani told Covers.com.
"Having players who are able first to fight on the field, like to recover the ball and challenge opponents to help the team win games. You can't give your opponents any time in the Premier League and he has the energy and physical abilities to be such an asset for anyone."
Antoine Semenyo addresses future
Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo has acknowledged the transfer speculation surrounding him. Both United and Liverpool were reportedly interested during the summer window, with claims that Semenyo held discussions with Amorim prior to signing a new contract with Bournemouth.
The Cherries are reported to value Semenyo at £75million, though the ongoing transfer talk hasn't affected the forward's form this season. While several of Semenyo's teammates moved on in the summer, the 25-year-old has outlined why he opted to remain on the south coast.
Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth
Antoine Semenyo was linked with Manchester United during the summer transfer window
View 3 Images
"I don't think about it too much," Semenyo told Sky Sports. "I try to stay present as much as I can. You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I'm not oblivious, but I try to keep focused.
"I'm enjoying my football here. If I'm not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens.
"When they (his former team-mates) all left [in the summer], there was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club. But I knew in my head that the manager's got something up his sleeve this year."
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the bestManchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghere to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhere to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, includingSpotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.