Man Utd could be about to follow the strategy Fulham used to make one of their best ever signings

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Ruben Amorim may draw on his expertise in Portuguese football as his 2026 transfer plans for Manchester United take shape.

In 2026, Manchester United will aim to make further improvements to the squad that experienced heavy investment in the previous transfer window.

United signed five players, including Bryan Mbeumo, who has scored six goals since joining the club from Premier League outfit Brentford.

Despite signing five new players, United overlooked the midfield department, despite allowing Christian Eriksen to leave when his contract expired at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Another area of concern for United is the wing-back department.

On the right, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui have juggled responsibilities this term, but there is less safety on the left when Diogo Dalot plays.

Take nothing away from Patrick Dorgu, who is still learning the role at 21 years of age, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Amorim may look at signing a new wing-back or two in the new year.

Man Utd could replicate Fulham strategy with Salvador Blopa transfer

Since Ruben Amorim arrived at United following a successful spell in Portugal with Sporting CP, the Red Devils have been linked with multiple players from the Lisbon-based outfit.

The first two players that were linked to United have since left – or agreed to leave – the Primeira Liga club, including Viktor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda.

The other Sporting CP players linked with a switch to Old Trafford have been Goncalo Inacio and Morten Hjulmand, but Amorim isn’t going to sign the entire team. All he needs to do is look at Manuel Ugarte’s struggles in the Premier League, having previously starred under him in Portugal.

Fresh reports via the Daily Mail suggest United are tracking Sporting CP starlet Salvador Blopa, who could be a long-term answer to the right wing-back role.

Blopa made his first team debut for Sporting CP last month, scoring a brace in a 5-1 win over Alverca in the Taca de Liga.

However, a comparison could be drawn with Fulham signing Joao Palhinha from Sporting CP in 2022.

Palhinha was in the Sporting CP academy when Marco Silva was manager. The same applied to Blopa when Amorim was in charge of the reigning Portuguese champions.

While Silva never used Palhinha for Sporting, he already knew the midfielder was extremely talented, and kept him in mind after leaving the club – so much that he ended up signing him.

Amorim could do the same with Blopa, having potentially seen him play at youth level before he left for United.

Palhinha spent two years at Fulham before signing for Bayern Munich, but the Portugal international joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan this season.

Salvador Blopa waiting on second senior appearance

Blopa has only made one senior appearance for Sporting CP so far, playing 77 minutes in his debut against Alverca.

The 18-year-old couldn’t have made a better first impression after scoring a brace, but he has yet to make another appearance for the first team.

That hasn’t stopped United from showing an interest in the player.

It remains to be seen if United will make an approach for the youngster in January, or whether they will continue monitoring his development throughout the season.