Who could Man United sign in January? Ruben Amorim preparing for first transfer window | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim is preparing for his first transfer window as Manchester United manager.

The Portuguese manager hasn’t had the most ideal start to life in the Old Trafford dugout. Amorim has overseen 10 games across all competition, winning just four and losing five. He’s now lost three in a row, leaving Man United 14th in the Premier League. But he has been given some leeway as he is trying to combat years of squad mismanagement.

In January, Amorim has the first opportunity to mould the squad in his image. It won’t be a dramatic overhaul, but there could be a few new faces in at Old Trafford as Amorim tries to turn the tide.

Viktor Gyokeres

When a manager leaves one club for another, it’s no surprise to see players linked with following them. Man United would likely be linked with Viktor Gyokeres anyway, but they may have the upper hand with Amorim in charge.

Gyokeres played 68 games under Amorim for Sporting CP across all competitions and scored 66 goals, crucial for their title win last season. This season, Gyokeres has 18 goals in the Primeira Liga, 16 of which came while Amorim was still in charge of Sporting CP.

When comparing Gyokeres to players across Europe’s top seven leagues, the Swede comes out looking strong. Only Erling Haaland (12) has scored more goals from open play then Gyokeres’ 11, but the Swede’s 18 overall goals cannot be beaten. He also sits third for shots (70) and shots on target (33) and top with 17 big chances scored.

In terms of Expected Goals, Gyokeres is second with 15.58, while his Expected Goals on Target of 15.41 is also the second-best in Europe’s top seven leagues. Of course, a signing like Gyokeres wouldn’t be happy to sit on the bench. So Man United would have a decision to make regarding Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. While Zirkzee has underwhelmed, there is something in Hojlund that Man United could hamper if he loses his starting spot.

Ben Chilwell

One of Man United’s problem positions this season has been at left-back. Due to injuries, Diogo Dalot has had to fill in, moved away from his favoured right flank.

The Portuguese defender has done well at times, but he has also frustrated Man United fans with some of his performances. With the switch to a back three, Amorim may want a more attack-minded wing-back.

Ben Chilwell has been linked with Man United in the past, and he could be a cheap option. The Englishman has played just 45 minutes for Chelsea across all competitions this season, having been frozen out by Enzo Maresca. Those minutes came against Barrow in the third round of the EFL Cup, with Chilwell yet to make a Premier League matchday squad. He wasn’t registered for the Europa Conference League either.

It’s been a while since Chilwell was at his best due to injury, but if Man United can get him up and running, he could be a worthwhile signing. At his peak for Chelsea, in the 2020-21 season under Thomas Tuchel, Chilwell was a flying wing-back.

In the Premier League in 2020-21, Chilwell averaged 1.18 chances created per 90 minutes and proved 0.2 assists. Defensively, Chiwell averaged 1.65 tackles, 2.44 possessions won in the defensive third and 2.08 possessions won in the middle third.

Ederson

Midfield is another position Man United reportedly want to bolster. They’ve had a few problems with their midfield over recent years, unable to get a good partnership going in their double pivot.

According to reports, Man United are currently chasing Atalanta midfielder Ederson. And it’s a move a lot of fans are happy with. Per our Squawka Score, Ederson is among the best midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

Part of Atalanta’s Serie A leaders, Ederson has averaged 5.94 long passes completed per 90 minutes, placing him in the 80-95th percentile among central midfielders. Although he hasn’t needed to tackle too often, Ederson rarely gets beat, losing just 0.38 challenges per 90 in Serie A.

The midfielder is also in the 80-95th percentile for passes into the final third success rate and aerial duel success at 79.66% and 62.86% respectively. On the ball, only one player in Serie A has attempted and completed more passes than Ederson’s 306 and 256. He also sits in the top 10 for passes attempted (933) and touches (1,181). He could help to transform Man United’s midfield.

Jarrad Branthwaite

Moving further back again, Man United need defensive reinforcements in central positions. They’ve struggled at centre-back for fitness and form, and they’ve been chasing Jarrad Branthwaite for quite some time.

It may be tough to try to get him in January, but if they offer Everton enough money, you never know.

Branthwaite was on top form for Everton last season, helping them boast one of the best defences in the Premier League. Their slow start to this season was in part due to Branthwaite being injured.

“He’s hugely important to them. I think everyone had said it all along,” former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne told Squawka in October.

“Man United had tried to buy him for £70-odd million, other clubs were really interested in him, so he’s obviously one of the top defenders in the league and any side would miss him.

“And obviously with the situation Everton have been in they need every good player they can get. And it’s great that he’s come back, and it’s great that he’s got the game time into his legs because that’s what he needed.”

In the Premier League this season, Branthwaite has averaged 4.34 clearances per 90 minutes, with 1.98 headed clearances. He’s won 1.12 aerial duels and won possession 2.23 times in the defensive third. And at 22, Branthwaite will only grow.