RUBEN AMORIM has slammed the door on Manchester United making stop-gap buys in January.
The Red Devils manager is refusing to reach for the panic button and will only consider signings that fit into the club’s long-term vision.
Amorim faces his biggest headache of the season with Africa Cup of Nations stars Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui away for Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa.
The United boss said: “We will only try to bring players that we think are going to be the future.
“It’s not going to be to save something at this moment, to cope with the losses of three players for Afcon.”
Amorim’s squad looks thin and youthful ahead of a difficult away day, with Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire also both unlikely to be fit following injuries.
United could feasibly lose at least two of their Afcon trio for a month if they go all the way to the January 18 final in Morocco.
Cameroon star Mbeumo tops this season’s club chart with six Prem goals, while Ivorian Amad is a constant threat.
As he manages expectations, Portuguese chief Amorim, 40, left a glimmer of hope that a new signing could still be made.
He said: “Even if we try to bring one player, maybe it’s not for the position that we need at that moment.
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“We will try to bring now — and at the end of the season — players that are perfect for our future. It’s possible that we can do something.”
United are in the market for a defensive midfielder with Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte all facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes added himself to that list in a bombshell interview this week, calling out the club board for wanting to cash in on him in the summer.
Among the names discussed as new recruits are Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Conor Gallagher, Carlos Baleba, Tyler Adams and Joao Gomes.
United are set to go all-out for winger Antoine Semenyo next month to strengthen their left side.
Semenyo, 25, fits in with Amorim’s long-term plans and is an upgrade on Patrick Dorgu. The Bournemouth ace — who has also drawn interest from Manchester City — has a £65million release clause that becomes active in January.
It sticks to United’s summer blueprint to sign both proven Premier League stars and young players.
The club’s Ineos chiefs splashed an initial £127.5m on luring Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford.
A further £84.2m initially was spent on striker Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who both arrived with potential.
Signing for £18.2m from Antwerp, 23-year-old Lammens was marked as a potential future star and got the nod ahead of a move for Aston Villa No 1 Emi Martinez, 33.
Amorim said: “I’m really happy with Senne. I’m really happy with the goalkeepers.”
The manager adapted his 3-4-3 formation against Bournemouth to a fluid 4-4-2 at times — and he is expected to use a back four over the coming weeks.
But losing players to Afcon is not going to change transfer plans unless a deal that was in the pipeline for the summer can be brought forward by six months.
Nottingham Forest star Anderson is a top contender on the 2026 wishlist and will have the chance to impress for England at the World Cup.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Gallagher — previously at Chelsea — has also cropped up as an option in recent weeks.
United were determined to be financially disciplined in the last January window when they signed left wing-back Dorgu from Lecce for £29.4m as well as young Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven for £1.5m.
For too long the transfer strategy has been a frantic game of Whac-A-Mole.
United have previously done loan deals for Odion Ighalo in January 2020 and Burnley reject Wout Weghorst in 2023.
Ineos are now reluctant to make any knee-jerk moves that might impact their summer budget.
While it seems like sound advice, if United get turned over at high-flying Villa this afternoon, the noise will turn to fixing the holes in the current squad.
