United want to sign former player in January to fix “priority position”, Amorim willing to work with him – report

Manchester United plan to strengthen their left-back area for Ruben Amorim in the January transfer window, as per reports.

Amorim is yet to take his first training session as United manager at Carrington, but the Red Devils’ transfer plans for their new head coach are starting to take shape.

According to CaughtOffside, the club’s hierarchy have identified left-back as a “priority position” to address during the winter window, and have earmarked Ben Chilwell and Alvaro Carreras as main targets.

Chilwell, whom Chelsea signed for a fee in the region of £50 million from Leicester City, has been on United’s radar even before Amorim’s arrival.

The English left-back has been pushed on the fringes at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca, who has handed him just one appearance all season.

Carreras, meanwhile, only swapped Benfica for United in January of 2024 on an initial loan deal. The Portuguese club recognised his potential and pulled the trigger to make him their player on a permanent basis.

His rise in stature and consistent performances in Bruno Lage’s squad have attracted United’s interest once again. The Premier League giants first signed him from Real Madrid’s academy in 2020.

CaughtOffside reports that United have a buy-back clause for their academy product, and the 21-year-old Spaniard is a player “Ruben Amorim has mentioned as a target he’d like to work with.”

Amorim’s 3-4-3 system requires an attacking full-back, and Carreras has shown he is capable of playing that role during his stint at Benfica as well as Preston North End, where he spent a season on loan.

It is understood further talks over the left-back position are expected to be held in the coming days.

Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have yet to feature for United this season.

Question marks remain over Shaw’s fitness but Malacia recently returned to action after nearly 18 months, making an appearance for the Mancunians’ U21 side in the EFL trophy against Huddersfield.