Manchester United are set for some considerable squad changes in the new year with a deal now authorised for a new striker in 2026.
United planning for squad transformation under Amorim
The Red Devils’ charge for Champions League qualification is well and truly on as they picked up a crucial three points against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Consistency is the name of the game for Ruben Amorim after his side showed their flaws in a defeat against a ten-man Everton side, but the signs are overwhelmingly positive for the forming Sporting boss heading into the hectic winter fixture schedule.
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The Red Devils are set to be active in January…
ByBen Goodwin
United will play six matches in December, and will then head into the January transfer window with a very clear picture of what the manager needs to continue their recent transformation.
The futures of Harry Maguire and Casemiro are both in the balance, with the pair among United’s highest earners and both out of contract at the end of the season.
1
Casemiro
£350,000
£18,200,000
2
Bruno Fernandes
£300,000
£15,600,000
3
Matthijs de Ligt
£195,000
£10,140,000
4
Harry Maguire
£190,000
£9,880,000
5
Matheus Cunha
£180,000
£9,360,000
Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that Amorim would prefer to tie both players to down to new deals, but there is an understanding that will only be possible on reduced wages.
Man Utd hold "serious" talks over new forward signing
On the incoming front, the manager has so far failed to find a solution in the number nine position, with Benjamin Sesko injured after an up and down start to life at Old Trafford and Joshua Zirkzee yet to really cement himself as a viable option despite scoring in the win at Palace.
Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri delivered an update on Manchester United’s interest in Serhou Guirassy over the weekend, with INEOS seemingly pressing ahead with their search for more options up front despite furnishing Amorim’s squad with three new attackers in the summer.
According to Tavolieri, ‘Manchester United have made serious enquiries’ over a deal for the Borussia Dortmund striker, who will be one of the ‘hottest transfer stories to watch in 2026’.
What’s more, the Red Devils have already been ‘authorised’ to trigger the Guinea international’s €50 million release clause (£44m).
Guirassy has scored nine times in 17 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund this season, and manager Niko Kovač recently compared the 29 year-old’s influence to some of the best strikers in world football.
Indeed, his stats suggest he is more Kane than Haaland, as the striker ranks in the 86th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 but also sits in the 74th percentile for assists per 90 (compared to other strikers in the big five leagues), suggesting he would bring more than just clinical finishing to United’s number nine position.
