How Man Utd could line up if Ruben Amorim lands three dream January targets - The Mirror

Antoine Semenyo would come straight into Ruben Amorim's Manchester United starting lineup if the Red Devils seal a £65million transfer for the Bournemouth star

Ruben Amorim has not ruled out January transfers for Manchester United and only wants players who can strengthen his team even after Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui return from AFCON. That is not always a simple task, but it could help the Portuguese coach kick on this season.

United could go into Christmas in fifth place with a victory over Aston Villa, and new signings could offer a timely boost for Amorim, having already strengthened his squad in the summer with Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Perhaps other areas now need attention.

"We'll see," Amorim said when asked if money was available for the transfer window. "The only thing we know is that we only would try to bring players that we think are going to be the future.

"It's not going to be to save something in this moment, to cope with the losses of three players for AFCON. "It’s not going to be like that, even if we try to bring one player, maybe it's not the position that we need more.

"We will try to bring now – and in the end of the season – players that are perfect for our future. I don't know what is going to happen, but it's possible that we can do something."

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Antoine Semenyo may be top of the agenda, given the opportunity his £65million release clause provides. The Bournemouth star favours a move to Liverpool, but already met Amorim last summer.

The Portuguese coach is interested in fielding Semenyo as a wingback should he arrive and is said to be unconvinced by his current options. That could see an aggressive set of wingbacks in Amad and Semenyo, when the United boss returns to his favoured formation.

The duo would flank a back three of Leny Yoro , Mathhijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, who would play in front of Senne Lammens. Luke Shaw would be a stiff contender for a spot, but Martinez's passing may give him an edge.

United's midfield could see further additions, with the centre of midfield a priority area for the club. The Guardian reports that Ruben Neves is an option as his contract in Saudi Arabia winds down.

Neves, 28, would cost in the region £20m but could bring significant wage demands after commanding £350,000-a-week. Conor Gallagher could prove to be an alternative option, while it is claimed United are interested in Bournemouth ace Tyler Adams.

Neves would be a strong candidate to start alongside Bruno Fernandes and to keep possession ticking. Tyler Adams may offer more robustness, but is out injured currently, and a second midfield addition may only open the possibility of Old Trafford exits.

A fron three was decided by United's significant summer business. Mbeumo and Cunha will provide plenty of support for Sesko if he can keep Mason Mount of the side.

Possible United lineup: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Neves, Fernandes, Semenyo; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha.

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