Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim decision predicted as new boss learns transfer rules
Manchester United's new head coach Ruben Amorim is due to take the reins in the middle of the month and speculation has already begun over what he will do in the role
by Tom Victor · The MirrorManchester United will have a new head coach this time next week, with Ruben Amorim's arrival drawing ever closer, but there's still work to do before he arrives.
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of United's next two matches, against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester in the Premier League. The Dutchman is halfway through his four-match tenure, having knocked Leicester out of the Carabao Cup and drawn with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Once Amorim gets his feet under the table, attention will turn to matters on and off the pitch. United currently sit 13th in the table, and there will be questions over whether they need to invest in players suited to the new man's preferred 3-4-3 set-up.
United also have six players out of contract in the summer, with decisions to be made on that front as well. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around Old Trafford.
Carragher predicts Amorim XI
Jamie Carragher expects Ruben Amorim to move Bruno Fernandes into the front three as part of a 3-4-3 set-up at Old Trafford. The captain wasn't the only player who Carragher expects to move into a new role, with the Monday Night Football pundit anticipating a wing-back role for Alejandro Garnacho.
"I've almost put one attacking full-back on one side and Garnacho on the other, because when you look at his set-up at Sporting there's been times where these players are asked to be really high, and wingers, and they're going to have to be very good at one-v-one," Carragher said.
The former Liverpool defender also anticipated more regular football for summer signing Manuel Ugarte, who impressed under Amorim at Sporting. However, there was no room for another new arrival, with Joshua Zirkzee left out of the XI.
New boss won't have final say on six stars
Manchester United have six players out of contract in the summer, with ESPN reporting that Amorim's verdict on the group won't be the be all and end all. Instead, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox are expected to make the ultimate decision
Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Amad are the six players in question. United have the option to trigger one-year extensions for Maguire and Amad under the terms of the contracts the pair signed when they joined the club.
What does Ruben Amorim need to change at Manchester United? Have your say in the comments section
It remains to be seen whether Amorim will be allowed to buck another recent trend and make a January signing. Amad was the last player to join the club permanently during the winter window, back in 2021, though there have been some more recent loan signings.
Ratcliffe makes Old Trafford U-turn
Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is holding fire on reported plans to demolish Old Trafford. The billionaire had been expected to knock down the historic stadium and move United into a new home nearby, amid issues with the condition of the ground.
According to The Telegraph, though, a decision on the matter has been pushed back until the summer of 2025. United have consulted with the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force - of which former club captain Gary Neville is a member - while asking fans for their own feelings on the matter.
The latest reports point to a couple of reasons for the delay, including a wait to discover whether the club can acquire neighbouring land for their planned development. There is also a possibility some public money could be ring-fenced for United's plans, but this will not be known until after the Mayor's Budget in March.
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