Ruben Amorim looks set to become Manchester United’s next manager – but it could have been so different for the Portuguese.
The Sporting Lisbon manager was actually very close to joining Liverpool in the summer before Arne Slot was eventually chosen to take the reigns at Anfield.
Just a few months later, now Amorim looks Manchester United-bound. Funny how quickly things can change.
United fans have responded well to Amorim links, with the hope he can develop existing talent, and also add some new talent to the Manchester United pool in the future.
According to Portuguese news outlet JN, there are three targets he identified immediately at Liverpool. And crazily enough, they have all been linked to United previously under the watchful eye of Ineos.
Goncalo Inacio
Manchester United were tracking Goncalo Inacio for some time under Ineos. As a left-footed centre-half, Inacio looked like an ideal Branthwaite alternative.
With hindsight, we know Leny Yoro was bought instead in the summer, but this was a major rumour for some time.
Whether Amorim would go for Inacio again is unlikely, given Manchester United’s abundance of centre-backs – but he is some defender.
Ousmane Diomande
From one defender to another, Ousmane Diomande was also on Ten Hag’s radar for the Red Devils. Diomande could’ve cost Manchester United just £35m, but again, Yoro was preferred.
Again, we can’t see this one formulating – but it’s interesting to see how Ineos’ targets and Amorim’s align.
Morten Hjulmand
Morten Hjulmand is the last, and still the most probable. The Sporting captain is one of the best young midfielders in world football.
Hjulmand has again been Red Devils-linked for some time and does embody a United player. However, could he still join the ranks?
Hjulmand has recently still been tipped to join United, which could be made ever the more probable if Amorim is to take over at the helm.
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