Ruben Amorim will already have a strong idea of which positions he wants to strengthen at Manchester United.

Amorim has been in Manchester for just over a month but he is sussing out the players at his disposal and will be in conversation with United's board about possible future transfers.

Whether signings are made in the January transfer window remains to be seen. There is no war chest available to Amorim and sales will be required to offset any incomings, but United will strike in the winter window if they have the funds and the right opportunity presents itself.

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United's head coach has ushered in a new era at Old Trafford with a different formation and wing-backs are crucial to the system, so it feels like a new signing could be made for that role.

The wing-backs are two of the most important positions in Amorim's formation and the 39-year-old is currently operating with Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Tyrell Malacia and Amad.

Amad is enjoying an excellent season and, impressively, has made a seamless transition to playing at right wing-back, but he's also played in one of the No.10 roles in recent matches.

Amorim has experimented with Dalot and Mazraoui as the wing-backs but starting with two natural full-backs in those positions hasn't really been working, as neither provide enough quality in attacking scenarios and Dalot has struggled featuring on opposite side to his preference.

The wing-back role is a unique position and specialist players are often signed for clubs who rely on such systems. For example, Marcos Alonso thrived when he played as a wing-back for Chelsea because the demands of the role brought the best out of his qualities.

Dalot hasn't looked comfortable as a left wing-back, Mazraoui hasn't played on that side under Amorim and Malacia has looked below the level required. Luke Shaw has experience of playing in that position but he's always injured and played in the back-three when he was briefly fit.

That means signing a new left wing-back for Amorim should be a priority and United will have the chance to re-sign Alvaro Fernandez in the January window, which opens in a week.

Fernandez joined Benfica on loan with a view to a permanent transfer in the January transfer window and the Portuguese club triggered their option to buy him in May.

Benfica paid €6million (£5m) plus €3m (£2.5m) in potential add-ons to sign Fernandez and United negotiated a large sell-on clause, along with a buy-back option, into the transfer.

The Manchester Evening News revealed in October that United's buy-back option on Fernandez, who has become a regular starter for Benfica this season, is up to the 2026 summer window.

The 2026 deadline was not communicated when the sale was completed and it's thought the buy-back clause could be activated for around £16million, which could be a bargain.

Fernandez would fit like a glove into Amorim's system and wouldn't cost much at all.