RUBEN AMORIM wants to sign a star Manchester United sold for just £5million, according to a Portuguese League champion.
Amorim, 39, will be the head coach at Old Trafford from November 11 when he leaves Sporting CP after four years at the club.
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His time with the Lisbon-based outfit has seen him win two league titles, ending a 19-year title drought in the process with his 3-4-3 system.
United have had problems at full-back this season and for much of last season, with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw both sidelined through injury.
It forced sacked manager Erik ten Hag into playing a variety of stars at left-back, with his options this season mainly being Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui.
Consequently, it is believed that when Amorim arrives he will look to add a profile who fits the left-wing back role in his team.
Five-time Portuguese League winner Álvaro Magalhães believes the star in question will be former Man Utd academy talent Alvaro Carreras.
Carreras, 21, initially joined the Red Devils academy in 2020.
However, the defender failed to break into the senior squad and after a succession of loan transfers was sold permanently to Benfica by Ten Hag over the summer following a season on loan with them.
Reports have since emerged revealing United included a 50 per cent sell-on clause and a cheap £16m buy-back clause in the deal.
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And speaking to Record, the 63-year-old Benfica legend Magalhaes believes Amorim could make a move to take the star from his old rivals.
He said: “I fear that Rúben Amorim wants him at Manchester United. It seems to me that he has the quality to be one of the first options and looking at the squad.
“I believe that with the new coaching staff he could become a possibility again, especially because the new coach knows him very well based on what he saw from him at Benfica.
“It would be a lot if Benfica had the ability to not let him escape, but now the decision is not just in the club’s hands.”
He explained: “This ability to react to adversity seems to be his strength. Great players only succeed if they are mentally very strong and that seems to be the case.
“Anyone who is weak cannot play for Benfica, just as they cannot play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, or PSG.
Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man Utd
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
“If he were weak, he would have already been released from Benfica and would be demonstrating quality in another team.
“Benfica were in time to not lose one of those players that we must fight to keep at the club due to his quality.
“I hope he has a lot of luck and continues to have a great season.”
Carreras has played 14 times for Benfica so far this season, scoring once.
Amorim is in action with Sporting CP for the final time in the Champions League tomorrow as they face Manchester City.
His final game as the Eagles’ boss is then against another former club in Braga.
Man Utd ratings vs Chelsea
MARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against Chelsea
Andre Onana – 5
Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.
Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass too
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possible
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Good early block to deny Palmer.
Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.
Casemiro – 7
Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Always a threat but wasted some great chances.
Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.
Better from the England man.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.
Subs
Amad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)
Thrown on to keep things tight and did that.