There’s only a few days to wait until Ruben Amorim officially kicks off at Manchester United and he has plenty of work to do if he is to whip this underachieving side into shape.

The 39-year-old coach will get to work at Old Trafford on November 11, tasked with overhauling the squad and produce top level performances expected of a team that has sunk to 13th in the Premier League following their worst start to a league season.

Amorim is seen as one of Europe’s most talented coaches but there’s only so much he can do with a squad that is lacking in a number of areas – despite the club sanctioning a summer spend of more than £200million.

There has already been talk of Amorim going back to Sporting Lisbon and raiding some of his top stars – including Viktor Gyokeres, who showed he is one of the most in-demand forwards in world football after scoring a hat-trick.

However, Amorim has insisted he will not return to his old team for their star men in January, not least for Gyokeres, saying the Swede will cost “at least 100m euros”.

He will be eager to add some defensive reinforcements to his squad – with centre-back an area of concern despite signing Leny Yoro, who is yet to feature for United after getting injured in pre-season, and Matthijs de Ligt.

Jarrad Branthwaite might represent a realistic option to add some much-needed depth to Amorim’s backline after Sean Dyche admitted Everton could be open to selling the highly-rated centre-back as the Toffees gear up for a difficult season battling relegation. They will need as much funds as possible to strengthen their squad.

Branthwaite has hardly played this season after struggling with injuries and has been on the bench for the last two games – which could lower his value and make it much easier for United to bring him to Old Trafford, having failed with two bids for the £70m-rated defender. Given that Amorim plays a back three, he could slot in alongside De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez.

Another defender being linked with United is Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies. The speedy Canadian has been a long-time Red Devils target and the club are said to be gathering information on him ahead of a future move.

His contract is up at the end of the season, sparking speculation United could tempt Bayern with an offer in January. He is still a key figure at the German side and has started seven times so far in the Bundesliga, but with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both picking up frequent injury problems, Amorim may opt to bring in Davies.

United also have a desperate need for a reliable goalscorer, which has been laid bare with Alejandro Garnacho the team’s current top scorer with just six goals – so Amorim may want to bring in some more firepower.

The club have been strongly linked with Leroy Sane, who – like Davies – sees his Bayern Munich deal expire next summer. Amorim could attempt to make a move in the next transfer window to test the waters – hoping to snap up the ex-Man City star in a cut-price deal.

Sane is yet to make a start in the Bundesliga under Vincent Kompany this season, with only five substitute appearances given to him so far – though he’s still managed to score three goals in all competitions.

Amorim could either wait to sign him for free this summer or pounce for him sooner to give his squad a lift.

A fourth player United have been linked with is Sporting Lisbon starlet Geovany Quenda, who is just 17 but turned the heads of a number of clubs after starring in their 4-1 win over City, playing 85 minutes and providing an assist.

According to MEN, United have added the winger to their transfer shortlist but it might cost them around £84m if they want to make him the latest Sporting star to make the move to Old Trafford, following Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Bruno Fernandes.

Man Utd’s dream XI line-up: Onana; De Ligt, Martinez, Branthwaite; Dalot, Fernandes, Mainoo, Davies; Sane, Garnacho, Hojlund

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