Manchester United are preparing for their first full season under Ruben Amorim and the Red Devils manager wants a new-look XI to turn their fortunes around and qualify for Europe

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - JULY 26:  Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa during the pre-season friendly match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Aston Villa at Lynn Family Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Ollie Watkins is wanted by Manchester United(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

We’re approaching the final month of the summer transfer window and Manchester United still have plenty of work to do. The Red Devils got off to a lightning-fast start by signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves on the first day of the window, triggering his £62.5million release clause.

Bryan Mbeumo’s arrival, however, was much more complicated and Ruben Amorim had to be patient. Weeks of fraught negotiations with Brentford culminated in United agreeing to pay up to £71m for him last Monday.

That takes the Red Devils’ spending to £133.5m, a hefty sum in isolation but far behind the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. United don’t have an unlimited budget, though.

They’re reliant on sales, with four members of Amorim’s bomb squad – Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia – still at the club. But that hasn’t stopped United from working on deals.

Mirror Football understands that in their search for a new striker, Ollie Watkins has been identified as their No.1 target. Aston Villa insist that the 29-year-old isn’t for sale at any price but Old Trafford chiefs are hoping to get a deal done for between £40m and £45m.

READ MORE: Bryan Mbeumo has already approved Man Utd’s transfer move for their own Mo SalahREAD MORE: Man Utd rule out new striker transfer due to enormous financial demands

They’re not just focussed on attack, as at the other end, Amorim wants competition from Andre Onana. Royal Antwerp prospect Senne Lammens has been linked but now there’s chance to sign one of the world’s best.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has reportedly been made available by Paris Saint-Germain, who’ve agreed a £34m deal for Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. Therefore, if United were able to make the finances work, they could offer the Italian – whose contract in Paris expires next summer – a move to the Premier League.

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires next summer(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Donnarumma would play behind a three-man defence, something which he’s used to at international level. Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and the currently injured Lisandro Martinez are likely to be Amorim’s preferred defensive trio.

The wing-back positions are crucial for the Red Devils boss and it’ll be a battle between Amad, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui on the right. As for the left-hand side, January signing Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw and teenager Diego Leon will compete.

Where would Manchester United finish with this XI? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

Manchester United could have four new signings in next season’s line-up

Bruno Fernandes, who snubbed a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer, is likely to move into a deeper role as a result of United’s forward-heavy recruitment. Casemiro would be a stable partner for the big occasions but Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo each offer something different.

Up front, it takes no working out. Should the Red Devils land Watkins, he’ll reunite with former Brentford team-mate Mbeumo and play alongside Cunha in a Premier League-proven trident.

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