Had Ruben Amorim had his way, he would have been the headline arrival at Manchester United this coming summer.

After making the decision to sack Erik ten Hag on October 28, United immediately identified Amorim as their leading target to replace the Dutchman. The Portuguese chief was riding the crest of a wave at Sporting Lisbon and had been linked with both Liverpool and Manchester City earlier in the year.

Despite his stock being at an all-time high, Amorim wanted to see the season out with Sporting. United, however, told him it was now or never.

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"I had three days to decide one option that radically changes my life," Amorim explained ahead of flying to England. "The only request I made was for it [the transfer] to be at the end of the season, and they [United] told me that it wasn't possible; that it was now or never.

"I knew if I rejected it that in six months I wouldn't have it. And I knew that in six months I would know that I wouldn't be at Sporting."

As a result of making the switch mid-season, Amorim has been able to analyse United's problems up close. To say he has a lot to sort out is an understatement.

But the hope is United can limp their way to the summer and then begin the first phase of the Amorim rebuild. However, significant investment is going to be required, likewise patience, with not every issue going to be able to be addressed in just one window.

Nevertheless, United have three main priorities ahead of the summer they can ill-afford not to address.

A proven goalscorer

Signing an established goalscorer who will come in and hit the ground running has to occupy top spot on United's to-do list this summer. After taking punts on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in back-to-back summer windows, the addition of a proven marksman has never been greater.

Amorim wanted to add a striker to his squad in the final days of the January window but United chose to prioritise spending in the summer instead. Failure to bring in an elite-level No.9 this summer would be inexcusable.

Hojlund was 20 when he joined United for an initial fee of £64million and he did not have a goalscoring record that commanded that price tag. Zirkzee is not and out-and-out No.9 and his record at Old Trafford highlights that.

Signing a proven goalscorer is going to cost United a pretty penny - but it is a move they have no choice but to commit to. Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious candidate to solve the Reds' goalscoring troubles and Amorim knows him inside out from their time together at Sporting.

Other candidates United could turn to include Victor Osimhen, who will have a year remaining on his Napoli contract come the summer, and Lille ace Jonathan David, who could be a free agent at the end of this season.

Right-sided No.10

Since United transitioned to a three-at-the-back formation following Amorim's appointment in November, Amad has been the best performing player in the right wing-back role. He gives United the width they crave and he has been at his creative best when stationed out wide.

The Ivorian has been United's best player under Amorim and the head coach has admitted that the right wing-back berth could be his long-term role in his team. He made the admission after he made the decision to start him as the right-sided No.10 for the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the end of December.

Amorim said he was playing Amad further forward because he wanted a left-footed presence in the right-sided No.10 role. Amid that craving, Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo would be a perfect fit for United's attack.

He is left-footed, established in the Premier League, is a proven goalscorer, can play in more than one position and is only 25, meaning he ticks a variety of boxes. United need a player of his ilk in the forward line that can support the No.9.

Left wing-back

Despite successfully completing their mission to strengthen their left-sided options in the January transfer window, landing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, United should be targeting the addition of a another left wing-back in the summer, regardless of how Dorgu performs between now and the end of the season.

Both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are better on the right, Luke Shaw is injury-prone and Tyrell Malacia could leave permanently in the summer after finalising a move to PSV Eindhoven on loan for the rest of the season on Tuesday.

Amorim's system revolves around the wing-backs and he is going to have to be able to call upon an alternative option to Dorgu at left wing-back that is tailor-made for the role. He currently doesn't have that luxury.

Whether Dorgu, 20, establishes himself as the starting left-sided wing-back ahead of the start of next season or not, United will need a second body in that role to compete with him. Like the Dane, the candidate would have to be a natural wing-back that can adhere to Amorim's demands and style of play.