It’s been a difficult season for Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim having a big job on his hands to turn the side around following his arrival back in November.

His side fell to their latest defeat on Sunday as they were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against Tottenham Hotspur. James Maddison’s first half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

The defeat leaves United in 15th place in the Premier League table, having lost three of their last four games in the competition. If Amorim didn’t know the scale of the job he was taking on when he arrived, then he will now.

READ MORE: Man United two games away from nightmare scenario amid injury crisis woes and Casemiro concern

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A lot of work will take place in the upcoming summer transfer window, it will give the manager a chance to shape his squad and bring in some more of his own players as well as potentially sell others.

So, what should the summer transfer window look like for Amorim and United? Our writers have their say...

Amie Wilson

Viktor Gyokeres is a name who has been constantly linked with United since the appointment of Amorim, and I think he’s a signing who could make a big difference to the team. The Sporting striker is an out-and-out goalscorer, something that United don’t currently have in their squad, while he had an £84 million release clause, reports suggest that Sporting are ready to accept bids of around £63 million for the player.

The game against Spurs saw United create some chances that they were unable to take, and it’s not the first time this season that that’s been the case. The arrival of a new striker would allow Joshua Zirkzee to leave, either on loan or on a permanent basis.

In terms of sales, I think most players could be candidates to leave, apart from a select few. One of them is Amad. He has proven his importance in key parts of games this season and United will hope he can recover from injury and re-find that form at the start of next season.

While captain Bruno Fernandes has not had the best of seasons so far, if Amorim can get him returning to his best, then he will remain key to United - especially if he has Gyokeres up front who will thrive on the service he can provide.

Jack Flintham

In my opinion, there is a no brainer transfer that United need to be looking at in the summer transfer window and that is Victor Osimhen. A player of his quality for less than £70m is unheard of and considering United have splashed £80m+ on unproven talent previously, surely the Nigerian makes sense.

United need to add to their midfield again in the summer but I would be steering clear of Paul Pogba. How many more times do they need to fall into the trap door before they learn their lesson?

Another centre-back will likely need to be added with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans on their way out. However, in my mind it would be extremely foolish not to prioritise the strikeforce in the summer and that means potentially signing two new strikers.

In a dream world Viktor Gyokeres would be the second striker added but I think in reality it is more likely that it will be either Osimhen or the Swede. As we sit here today, I would be pushing for the current Galatasaray striker if I was Ruben Amorim.

Jake Stokes

At the very least, Manchester United need to sign a new striker, attacking midfielder and a holding midfielder. Ruben Amorim has a clear idea of how he wants to play, so it's now on the higher-ups at Old Trafford to bring in the right players who can transform the club's fortunes.

Up top, United need to sign a world-class striker. Without qualification to the Champions League, it'll be difficult – but not impossible. Having previously worked with Amorim at Sporting, Viktor Gyokeres should be the priority target.

By signing him, United would be sending out a clear message to the rest of Europe. Other top players who may have had doubts about joining would quickly realise United are 'back in business', so to say.

Looking at attacking midfielders who can play alongside either Alejandro Garnacho or Joshua Zirkzee in that inside-forward/number ten role behind the striker, United should go for Florian Wirtz or Xavi Simons. Of course, they'd be difficult to sign – but that's the point. They're both top class.

If they can't bring in the aforementioned duo, Mohamed Kudus would be a very good – and probably more realistic – option. Next, United need a holding midfielder to sit just behind – and complement – Bruno Fernandes.

Amorim already has Manuel Ugarte, but the Portuguese tactician also needs some height in the middle of the park. United should go for Angelo Stiller from Stuttgart! Paul Pogba wouldn't have been a bad option a year ago...

Bruna Reis

I think it’s a no0brainer that United must sign a new attacker in the summer and Viktor Gyokeres should be at the top of their list, especially as he is likely to be available for a lower price at the end of the season. And if anything, United have got an advantage over other potential suitors, given the relationship Amorim holds with the Swedish star from their time at Sporting Clube de Portugal.

It is widely known in Portugal that Amorim was the main factor for Gyokeres to join the Portuguese giants over any other club. Amorim played a significant part in convincing him to join and who’s to say, Amorim can’t do it once again?

Another name being strongly linked with a return to Old Trafford is Pogba. While he played a significant role for United in previous years, I think that boat has sailed and the club should focus on developing and bringing in younger talent.

In terms of sale, I think the likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans are all candidates to leave Old Trafford as cutting costs continue to be at the forefront of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co.

Josh Holland

I think the priority for United has to be in improving the positions in the final third. A new striker and attack-minded midfielder to sit behind have to sit at the top of their list for the new season.

Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious name to come in and replace Hojlund and Zirkzee. However, other clubs are scouting the striker and with the likelihood of no European football at Old Trafford next season, they miss out.

Furthermore, I think the midfield is thin. Injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte left Amorim so short so you'd expect they'd look at adding numbers to that position. In a best-case scenario, United would sign a player who is capable of playing in holding midfield as well as further forward.

Talk of Pogba making a surprise return hasn't been a popular one and there is a fair case as to why supporters wouldn't want to see him back. However, the state of United's midfield, with Casemiro likely to depart and Christian Eriksen leaving, Pogba's third spell at Old Trafford wouldn't be the worst piece of business they could do.

Plenty of players should be sold, obviously. But seeking a solution to Marcus Rashford and Antony are the two most pressing pieces of business needed to ensure no saga drags on throughout the window.

Matty Hewitt

How long have we got? United need to strengthen a number of positions while bringing down the wage budget and complying with PSR. That won't be easy.

Only last week Amorim said that United needed to sell players before they can buy and it makes sense to be looking to offload the likes of Casemiro, Lindelof, Eriksen and Evans, though the latter three are approaching the end of their Old Trafford contracts and the club won't be able to recoup much financially.

The Portuguese boss needs to address the striker position as an urgent matter, while depth in defence will also be needed if those aforementioned players leave. Jonathan Tah is set to become a free agent in the summer and would be a decent bit of business so long as his wages aren't extortionate.

The same applies for Jonathan David up front from Lille. Signing him on a free in the summer would be a good piece of business, given it's unlikely they'll have the funds to sign a superstar up front.

Gyokeres and Osimhen are two standout stars linked with the club, but much of that will depend on whether Rashford leaves on a permanent deal, along with Antony. United need more depth in central midfield and in the number ten positions, but the likelihood of a complete overhaul across the squad is unrealistic.

Isaac Seelochan

It will obviously take United several transfer windows to get things right, but they should start seeing improvements next season if they get the right players in. Viktor Gyokeres is an obvious answer to United's goalscoring problems if he is willing to join.

However, recent reports have claimed that interest on both sides has cooled, leaving the Reds in a difficult position. Which top striker would join United in their current situation? It's hard to see Alexander Isak being keen.

The lure of Champions League football may lure Gyokeres of course, something which is only likely to happen through United winning the Europa League. The combination of playing in Europe's elite competition and working with Amorim again may persuade the Swedish striker to join.

Midfield will be the other critical area that needs strengthening, with Christian Eriksen out of contract in the summer and Casemiro looking increasingly out of his depth at this stage of his career. Elsewhere, wing-back must be considered if Amorim is to succeed.

Patrick Dorgu's arrival in Janury is a start, but only that, and United may need to hope that Marcus Rashford and Antony will leave on a permanent deal to fund more transfers.