Manchester United may switch tactics under Ruben Amorim but another option on the left flank will surely be a top priority.
Here we go then, the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United is finally ready to begin.
United confirmed the appointment of Amorim as head coach on November 1, but allowed him to continue coaching Sporting until the international break.
Amorim won his final game in charge of Sporting on Sunday, coming from 2-0 down to beat Braga 4-2 away from home.
United can now welcome Amorim to Old Trafford and will be excited to see his first game in charge against Ipswich Town.
Manchester United face Liverpool battle for Premier League star
Amorim won’t be thinking about January transfers just yet and will take his time to assess the United squad at his disposal.
One issue for Amorim to look at is his options down the left flank.
Luke Shaw has an extensive injury record and Tyrell Malacia has almost become a forgotten man due to his own injury woes.
Another option is surely needed and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez appears to be a top target.
The Mirror (10/11, p71) report that United are now locked in a three-team battle for Kerkez’s signature in 2025.
It’s stated that Chelsea are interested in signing Kerkez whilst Liverpool are ‘desperate’ to sign the Hungarian, an international teammate of Reds star Dominik Szoboszlai.
United allegedly see Kerkez as the ‘ideal replacement’ for Shaw in the long term but Bournemouth are ready to demand big money.
The report claims that Bournemouth rate Kerkez at around £50million, a huge increase on the £15million they paid to sign Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar in 2023.
We can’t see United coughing up that kind of cash in January but a battle with Chelsea and Liverpool may well intensify towards the end of the season.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
| 12 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 15 |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 12 |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 10 |
Milos Kerkez could fit into Ruben Amorim plans
New boss Amorim has almost exclusively played a 3-4-3 system at Sporting and United need to invest in another left wing back.
Kerkez fits the bill having dabbled in that role in the past and shown his attacking qualities.
The 20-year-old bagged five goals and eight assists in just 57 games for AZ and recently terrorised Manchester City with two assists in a 2-1 Bournemouth win.
Micah Richards praised Kerkez after that performance and told Match of the Day that he was simply ‘brilliant’ both going forward and with his defensive duties.
“Kerkez was brilliant, not only offensively but defensively as well,” said Richards.
United were linked with Kerkez earlier in 2024 and his suitability for a wing back role may well spark a serious move under Amorim in 2025.
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