Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is already preparing to make a bold impression with his first major signing for the club. The 39-year-old tactician is set to take over from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, and reports suggest Manchester United, supported by INEOS, has triggered Amorim’s €10 million release clause to secure his services. Known for his methodical approach and eye-catching success with Sporting Lisbon, Amorim has established a reputation as one of Europe’s top young managers, bringing with him a winning mentality and fresh tactical insights. With two Liga Portugal titles and three Portuguese cups to his name, his resume speaks volumes, and United’s fans have high expectations for his influence on a squad struggling to find its identity this season.
Amorim will undoubtedly have a challenging task ahead as he arrives at a club that has endured a rocky start to the campaign, with inconsistencies across the field. Early signs indicate that he intends to make swift changes and bring some of his preferred players to the Premier League, aiming to implement his distinctive 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford. The transition won’t be easy, and the new head coach has reportedly wasted no time in telling the United hierarchy which player he believes would be a transformative addition to the squad.
At the top of Amorim’s transfer list is Marcus Edwards, a player he’s familiar with from his time at Sporting Lisbon. The 25-year-old English winger, who started his career in Tottenham’s youth academy, has thrived under Amorim’s management in Portugal and has been singled out as the ideal replacement for Antony. With Manchester United’s wing options looking increasingly unsettled, Amorim views Edwards as the kind of versatile, explosive talent who can thrive in his high-intensity system. According to teamTALK, discussions are already underway to bring Edwards to Manchester as one of Amorim’s marquee signings, aiming to add both depth and quality to the club’s attack.
Marcus Edwards has flourished since moving to Sporting, showing his value with six goals and nine assists last season. His performances in the UEFA Champions League have also been consistently impressive, catching the eye of fans and pundits across Europe. Unlike his earlier stint in the English Premier League, Edwards has found his form and confidence in Portugal, where he has been able to develop his skills without the pressure of the intense media spotlight. As a player known for his ability to take on defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities, Edwards would offer United an injection of creativity that has sometimes been lacking in their recent performances.
Amorim’s admiration for Edwards isn’t just about his skill set; it also reflects his philosophy of building a squad that’s adaptable, hard-working, and capable of fitting into his preferred tactical setups. Amorim has a reputation for favoring a relatively compact squad that allows for more cohesion and consistent team chemistry. His 3-4-3 formation, while demanding, emphasizes versatility and requires players who can maintain high levels of discipline both defensively and offensively. Edwards’ comfort in a right-wing role aligns perfectly with this vision, making him a prime candidate to add the kind of depth Amorim values.
With Edwards on the right flank, Amorim could have a fresh set of options to create competition among his wingers. Players like Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo have shown glimpses of their potential this season, but with Edwards in the mix, they could face a new challenge for starting roles. Meanwhile, this change might spell uncertainty for other squad members, notably Antony, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Casemiro, as Amorim’s compact approach could see some established names sidelined in favor of a smaller, more cohesive group of players.
Former England international Peter Crouch, who followed Edwards’ career since his youth, has praised the winger for his decision to go abroad to advance his career. Edwards had a standout moment during a Champions League clash against Tottenham in 2022, and Crouch remarked, “He’s playing in the Champions League and showed what he can do. The run he had—if he scored, it would have been talked about for a decade.” Crouch’s words underline how much potential Edwards has shown since moving to Portugal, establishing himself as one of Europe’s promising attacking talents.
For FourFourTwo, Edwards’ move abroad resembles the path taken by other young English talents like Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke, who found opportunities for growth in foreign leagues. Much like Sancho in the Bundesliga and Madueke in the Eredivisie, Edwards has seized his chance in Liga Portugal, where he has refined his abilities and gained a maturity that would have been harder to achieve under the intense pressure of the English Premier League.
While Edwards’ arrival would add firepower, it would also signal a changing of the guard for some of United’s current players. Antony, for instance, could face a challenge to secure his place in the squad. Meanwhile, Amorim’s tendency to prefer a streamlined roster might cast uncertainty on other fringe players, like Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, who have struggled to consistently make their mark. Casemiro, too, might see his position scrutinized, given Amorim’s interest in a squad that’s both disciplined and adaptive, with players comfortable in multiple roles.
With expectations mounting, Manchester United is set to host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday. While Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to manage the team for this fixture, attention is already turning to Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea, where fans and analysts will be eager to see how United’s performance holds up under the new coaching leadership. Amorim’s arrival, coupled with his potential moves in the January transfer window, could mark a turning point for the Red Devils. The arrival of Marcus Edwards, should it materialize, would represent the first of what could be several strategic changes as Amorim reshapes Manchester United into a team built to compete at the highest level.
As fans await further developments, Amorim’s ambitious plans hint at a renewed vision for Manchester United—one that may require some painful adjustments but ultimately aims to steer the club back toward its historic roots of competitiveness and success.