Ruben Amorim has hinted that Manchester United could conduct some business in the January transfer window, but warned it would not be to cope with the absences of Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui. Instead, the Portuguese's focus is on acquiring players who are 'the future' of the club.

The United boss saw a number of signings arrive in the summer, including Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Old Trafford chiefs still have plans to sign a new midfielder after failing to land Carlos Baleba in the summer, with the Brighton star, and Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton among potential candidates.

Antoine Semenyo has been thrust to the forefront of rumours too, however. The Bournemouth ace has a £65million release clause next month and the Red Devils are set to face competition from Manchester City and Liverpool.

Amorim met Semenyo in London at the end of last season, and it remains to be seen if that could give United a leg up. It has even been touted that the Ghana international is being eyed as a wing-back.

And asked if United have a budget to make signings in January, Amorim did not rule out the prospect of new players in 2026. The 40-year-old only wants additions who can aid his team over a long-term period.

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"We'll see," Amorim said. "The only thing we know is that we only would try to bring players that we think are going to be the future.

"It's not going to be to save something in this moment, to cope with the losses of three players for AFCON. "It’s not going to be like that, even if we try to bring one player, maybe it's not the position that we need more.

We will try to bring now – and in the end of the season – players that are perfect for our future. I don't know what is going to happen, but it's possible that we can do something."

Amorim also wants Kobbie Mainoo to stay and fight for his job at United. The midfielder has yet to start a Premier League match this term and has been linked with an exit.

"Kobbie needs to fight for his job. I think that it's not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20 years old," Amorim said.

"I remember (Cristiano) Ronaldo was on the bench, (Wayne) Rooney was on the bench sometimes. (Juan Sebastian) Veron was not playing.

"I remember all the history of Manchester United and (there is) nobody this didn't fall (to), so let's continue in trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise."

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