Ruben Amorim has reportedly told Manchester United that he would want the club to target deals for Sporting Lisbon trio Goncalo Inacio, Marcus Edwards and Pedro Goncalves if he were to arrive at Old Trafford.
Man United view Amorim as their leading target to replace Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman's time at the club coming to an end on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after the 2-1 defeat at West Ham United.
Amorim was coy on his future when questioned on Tuesday night, but Man United have signalled a willingness to pay the €10m (£8.3m) release clause in his contract, and it is understood that the 39-year-old has agreed to move to Old Trafford.
According to TEAMtalk, the highly-rated Portuguese manager has already started identifying transfer targets, and three of them are from Sporting, with Inacio, Edwards and Goncalves all wanted.
The report claims that Inacio, who has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract, is a leading target, with Amorim unconvinced by the defensive options at Man United, and he could potentially bring his 3-4-3 formation to the club.
![Sporting Lisbon's Marcus Edwards pictured with the Primeira Liga trophy on May 18, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/marcus-edwards.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sporting Lisbon's Marcus Edwards pictured with the Primeira Liga trophy on May 18, 2024 [IMAGO]")
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Inacio, Edwards, Goncalves 'identified as fresh Man United transfer targets'
Man United were linked with Inacio over the summer, as were Liverpool, but the 23-year-old remained with Sporting, and he has again been an important player this season, making 13 appearances in all competitions.
Edwards, meanwhile, has been restricted to just five appearances this season due to injury, scoring once, but the 25-year-old has scored 22 goals and registered 26 assists in 115 appearances for the Green and Whites in all competitions.
The right-sided forward came through the youth system at Tottenham Hotspur before progressing to first-team level in 2015, but he only ever made one senior appearance for the club before making the move to Portugal.
Goncalves is also said to be a leading target, with the 26-year-old in excellent form this season, scoring five goals and registering five assists in nine appearances in all competitions.
The Portugal international, who is capable of operating in a number of different attacking positions, started his professional career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he was restricted to just one appearance for the club.
Goncalves has a record of 81 goals and 56 assists in 187 matches for Sporting, and he could potentially be signed to bolster an attack which has struggled during the 2024-25 campaign.
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When could Amorim take charge of Man United?
Man United could reportedly be forced to wait until after the November international break to appoint Amorim as their new manager.
The notice period in Amorim's contract is said to be 'weeks rather than days', meaning that Ruud van Nistelrooy could take charge of the Red Devils for their next four games before the final international break of the year.
Man United are said to be in negotiations with Sporting over potentially reducing the notice period, although it is still highly unlikely that the Portuguese will be at the helm for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Interim head coach Van Nistelrooy is currently preparing the team for Wednesday's EFL Cup last-16 clash with Leicester City.
Matt Law
