Manchester United have reportedly registered their interest in a player Rúben Amorim has previously said he “loves” as the club look for summer reinforcements.
Manchester United are placing greater emphasis on player departures this summer as Rúben Amorim begins a significant rebuild at Old Trafford.
They’ve already secured the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million and continue to push for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, though their bid of £45 million plus £10 million in add-ons has been turned down.
The club are still looking to add a striker and a midfielder, and could move for a goalkeeper if André Onana ends up leaving.
With several players set to exit when their contracts run out this month, more departures are expected as United prepare for a new era under Amorim.
United eyeing move for Bayern’s Palhinha
While United have been at the forefront of attacking reinforcements, Amorim is well known to want a new defensive midfielder.
Despite signing Manuel Ugarte last summer, the club are still light in the position, and have reportedly turned to Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha as an option this summer.
Although the Bundesliga champions signed the Portuguese international for around £46 million from Fulham last summer, Palhinha has failed to nail down a place under Vincent Kompany, and TeamTalk claim they are willing to part ways with the midfielder for around £25 million.
Palhinha was considered by United in 2023, but the club opted to sign Sofyan Amrabat on a season-long loan deal instead. According to The Athletic, the 29-year-old was keen on a move to Old Trafford at the time.
However, United face competition from the midfielder’s former side, Fulham, who initially signed him from Sporting in 2022.
Amorim has previously explained his love for Palhinha
While at Sporting, Palhinha played 87 times throughout two seasons under the now United head coach, winning a league title and two Taça da Liga trophies in that period.
Palhinha played alongside current United midfielder Ugarte while at Sporting and competed with Morten Hjulmand, whom United have also been linked with this summer.
Amorim has clear affection for Palhinha, having stated in May 2024 that the Portuguese international is a player he “loves” to manage.
With United looking to sign players with Premier League experience this summer, Palhinha’s stint with Fulham, as well as his period working within Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, could prove to be a bargain buy at £25 million, despite his failings in Germany.
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