RUBEN AMORIM will want to stamp his mark on his new Manchester United squad as soon as possible.
The former Sporting boss replaced Erik ten Hag and is preparing to take charge of his first match in charge at Ipswich on Sunday.
He must make do with the current crop of players for the first few weeks of his tenure until the January transfer window opens.
However, even then, it is understood he may not have an abundance of cash to splash to bring in his top targets straight away.
And that could therefore see Amorim try and raise some funds by selling off some of the United players that fail to impress or fit into his favoured 3-4-3 system.
But who is most at risk of facing the chop and could be heading out of the Old Trafford exit door early in 2025?
Joshua Zirkzee may have only joined United in the summer but may already find himself as the third-choice striker under Amorim.
The new manager’s preferred style favours the likes of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund and there are concerns Zirkzee won’t fit the mould.
It has been a tough start to life at Old Trafford for the Dutch striker, who has just one goal in his opening 17 appearances and allegedly was not even wanted by former boss Erik ten Hag before his £36.5million arrival.
United and Zirkzee may decide this has not worked out and allow the 23-year-old to move elsewhere to continue his career before things turn sour.
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The Danish midfielder, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with leaving last summer.
Ten Hag kept Christian Eriksen on but the reality is his game time will be very limited in the Amorim formation and selling the veteran would mean United can get a fee for him.
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The experienced Brazilian, 32, has struggled to have the impact he would have wanted and his impact was waning under Ten Hag.
And that could reduce even further if Amorim opts for a midfield duo of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo.
He is under contract until 2026 but is United’s top-paid player on a staggering £375,000 per week – meaning shipping him out to the Middle East would be an ideal solution.
This one could ruffle a few feathers but Alejandro Garnacho, 20, could be on his way of Old Trafford, too.
The new 3-4-3 formation will likely see two supporting playmakers in behind the main striker – with wing-backs instead of wingers.
And that could spell bad news for the Argentine.
He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents in the Red Devils squad and fans would hate to see him leave.
But a big offer for an unfancied star who could generate a huge profit may be appealing for Amorim and his boardroom bosses.
Similarly, Amad Diallo, 22, could find himself out of favour under Amorim.
The winger’s contract is also expiring next summer and if Amorim does not want to use him, he may try and convince the club to sell him in January – rather than offer a new contract or let him go for free.
Incredibly, Antony could be handed a lifeline at Old Trafford – with early training sessions hinting he could get a new lease of life as a wing-back.
Amorim is keen for a 3-4-3 formation with three centre-backs.
The reality is Harry Maguire, 31, can play in a back three and has done so previously – including for England at the World Cup.
But the reality is also that he will be behind Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in the pecking order – plus potentially Luke Shaw if he moves into a left centre-back role.
Maguire has been on the cusp of leaving several times and shaving his £190,000 off the weekly wage bill would help the finances.
One could be forgiven for forgetting Victor Lindelof, 30, was still on the books at Old Trafford – more than seven years after arriving in 2017.
He will surely not get an extension on his current deal which expires at the end of the season.
So trying to flog him in January would present the final chance to get anything for the Swedish defender.
