Ruben Amorim waves to supporters in Malaysia.
Ruben Amorim needs to make changes this summer.
With just three days to go until the summer transfer window officially opens for business, it is impossible to predict what Manchester United's squad could look like come the start of next season.
United have informed players who are under contract for next season that none of them are immune from being sold, meaning a summer of the unexpected could be in the offering.
However, after head coach Ruben Amorim declared earlier this week that United "cannot do much" this summer, there is unlikely to be the number of changes many supporters are hoping for after watching the club experience its worst season in 51 years.
Alejandro Garnacho has been informed he will be able to leave the club if an acceptable offer is received, and fellow attackers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony have been identified as priority sales.
With United planning to take a sledgehammer to their current crop of attacking options, replacements will, of course, be required. Wolves star Matheus Cunha and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap have long since been identified as leading targets, and the former is looking increasingly likely to become their first signing of the summer.
United plan to trigger Cunha's £62.5million release clause and are currently in discussions with Wolves over the payment structure.
If United get their man, the Brazilian is expected to slot straight into Amorim's first-choice starting line-up and occupy the left-sided No.10 role. That position has been shared by the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen, Joshua Zirkzee and Garnacho in the last few months, meaning it needs a permanent resident.
Cunha is a specialist No.10, well-versed in operating in that position for Wolves, who also operate with a wing-back system.
However, his impending arrival could have an impact on some more than others, not least Fernandes. The United captain should have a hands-off warning attached this summer amid his importance to Amorim's team.
Manchester United can't afford to lose someone as gifted as Bruno Fernandes. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
The beauty of Fernandes' profile is that he can impact proceedings from just about anywhere on the pitch, meaning he will be, just as he demonstrated earlier this year, be capable of strutting his stuff from the centre of midfield.
He has the capacity to control proceedings, create goals and score them himself from the No.8 position, meaning the prospect of Cunha being added to the squad could see him become a permanent fixture in the engine room.
If United are forced to unleash Fernandes as a No.8, though, they may have to scour the market for a suitable midfield partner. Manuel Ugarte has shown flashes of his capabilities this season, but he has also offered signs that he is not able to match the pace of the Premier League.
As good as he can be defensively, he is not effective enough with the ball. He is too slow in possession and can get caught out, meaning United, if there is money to do so, may have to find an alternative partner for Fernandes to compliment his qualities.
Of course, Mainoo could be retained this summer, but he is not a defensive specialist and deploying him next to Fernandes would leave United vulnerable.
United's midfield is flanked by two wing-backs, with Amorim currently blessed with a number of options. Patrick Dorgu should continue as the left-sided wing-back next term to try and grow into the role and stamp his authority on the Premier League, whereas Amad could be made right wing-back-in-chief on the opposite side if Bryan Mbeumo arrives from Brentford.
Bryan Mbeumo would be a statement signing. (Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images.)
The Cameroonian attacker has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this week amid United's aspirations of beefing up their attacking options and he would be an excellent addition. Any hopes of signing him, however, will rest on outgoings and whoever else knocks on Brentford's door in pursuit of his signature.
But in the event of him and Cunha moving to Old Trafford and filling the two No.10 positions, they could be supporting Delap up front. United remain keen on the Ipswich goal-getter, who plundered 12 goals in the Premier League this season, and he is available for £30m via a release clause that has become active following the Tractor Boys' relegation.
Delap, who has interest from elsewhere, is an attainable target and would be signed with a view to spearheading a new-look United attack.