Had Ruben Amorim had his way, he would have been the headline arrival at Manchester United this coming summer.
After making the decision to sack Erik ten Hag on October 28, United immediately identified Amorim as their leading target to replace the Dutchman. The Portuguese chief was riding the crest of a wave at Sporting Lisbon and had been linked with both Liverpool and Manchester City earlier in the year.
Despite his stock being at an all-time high, Amorim wanted to see the season out with Sporting. United, however, told him it was now or never.
"I had three days to decide one option that radically changes my life," Amorim explained ahead of flying to England. "The only request I made was for it [the transfer] to be at the end of the season, and they [United] told me that it wasn't possible; that it was now or never.
"I knew if I rejected it that in six months I wouldn't have it. And I knew that in six months I would know that I wouldn't be at Sporting."
As a result of making the switch mid-season, Amorim has been able to analyse United's problems up close. To say he has a lot to sort out is an understatement.
But the hope is United can limp their way to the summer and then begin the first phase of the Amorim rebuild. However, significant investment is going to be required, likewise patience, with not every issue going to be able to be addressed in just one window.
Nevertheless, United have three main priorities ahead of the summer they can ill-afford not to address.
Signing an established goalscorer who will come in and hit the ground running has to occupy top spot on United's to-do list this summer. After taking punts on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in back-to-back summer windows, the addition of a proven
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