Report: Ruben Amorim has mentioned to Manchester United hierarchy about signing £16m defender in January

Ruben Amorim has only just arrived as the new Manchester United head coach, but he has already identified an area in the team to strengthen.

Amorim has just started taking training sessions. United have yet to play a game under the Portuguese boss.

However, the 39-year-old, who won the Portuguese league title twice with Sporting Lisbon, has already spotted a weakness in his team, according to a report.

CaughtOffSide has reported that United are keen on signing a new left-back in the January transfer window.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have had injury issues for a while now, and Amorim wants a left-back he can rely upon to be fit.

Ruben Amorim wants Alvaro Carreras at Manchester United

United are now looking at a potential deal for Alvaro Carreras. The Premier League club sold the 21-year-old left-back to Benfica in the summer of 2024 after a loan deal and are now keen on bringing him back to Old Trafford.

The report has noted that “United have a buy-back clause for Carreras”, adding that “sources have also told CaughtOffside that he’s a player Ruben Amorim has mentioned as a target he’d like to work with”.

The Sun reported in October that the buy-back clause is £16 million. Carreras, who has also been linked with Liverpool, has scored two goals and given one assist in eight Portuguese league starts so far this season.

Manchester United also eye Ben Chilwell

Another left-back United have an eye on in the January transfer window, according to the report in CaughtOffSide, is Ben Chilwell.

Chilwell could have left Chelsea in the summer of 2024 and has made just one appearance for Enzo Maresca’s side so far this season.

The 27-year-old England international left-back has been on the books of the Blues since 2020.

Chilwell is a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup winner with Chelsea, but his days at the London club seem to be numbered.