Ruben Amorim ‘targets £50m move for rising defensive star’

Ruben Amorim is set to raid one of his former club's rivals in search of a key defensive star in a bid to strengthen his Manchester United squad in the upcoming January transfer window, reports suggest.

The newly appointed Old Trafford boss is trying to instill his preferred 3-4-3 formation with the players Erik ten Hag has left him, but is predictably encountering some teething problems.

Amorim continues to experiment with his side and celebrated a first win as United boss with an emphatic Europa League comeback victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening, spurred on by Rasmus Hojlund.

The 39-year-old has just a few weeks to assess his squad ahead of the opening of the January transfer window and is already looking for new recruitment opportunities with the club's INEOS-backed sporting department.

Amorim has already been linked with a return to his former club Sporting Lisbon for striker Viktor Gyokeres, but it is one of the Portuguese side's rivals he may turn to in the coming weeks.

The United boss is keen to bring Benfica defender Tomas Araujo to the club and a £50million deal is being explored for the highly-rated 22-year-old rising star, The Sun reports.

Araujo is among the names under consideration and will be discussed by Amorim and United recruitment managers at a meeting on Friday with other major European sides who are also believed to be monitoring the situation.

The centre-back has been an integral figure in Benfica's defense this season. He has made 13 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese giants, losing just one league match since the start of the season.

Amorim has been monitoring the youngster's development and has included Araujo on his shortlist of sought-after stars, believing the 6-foot-1 defender has the requisite attributes required by the Premier League.

However, his arrival would once again draw attention to the future of several United defenders, as the squad was already well-stocked in that area.

The recent return of Harry Maguire from injury means Amorim can call on the Englishman alongside Jonny Evans, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and talented teenager Leny Yoro.

Araujo is regarded as one of Benfica's best youth players of the past decade, with the club also previously developing Ruben Dias, who went on to become a serial Premier League champion with Man City.

Benfica have included an £83 million release clause in the Portuguese star's contract, in line with his recognized potential and rise in the national team.

But United hope to negotiate a lower fee to comply with FFP rules and could sell players to raise money.