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INEOS have not been afraid to splash the cash since taking the reins of Manchester United.

The 13-time Premier League champions are in dire straits, with manager Ruben Amorim yet to string a convincing run of games together, having won just 12 Premier League games in as many months in charge.

However, that is not for lack of backing in the transfer market. Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought four expensive players, including a new look attack consisting of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens also joined the club to help shelve issues between the posts.

However, it does not seem like United’s heavy spending will be done there, with the club reportedly targeting another star attacker.

United’s latest attacking target

The Red Devils have certainly been linked with some superstars in recent days.

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One of those is Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, although they face stiff competition from Liverpool and Arsenal for the £123m-rated attacker.

Aside from the Frenchman, it seems like United are in the race to sign Real Madrid and Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior.

According to Football Insider, Amorim’s side are one of the clubs ‘interested’ in signing the Los Blancos star, who has reportedly fallen out with manager Xabi Alonso.

This has led to claims that the 25-year-old has refused to sign a new deal at the Bernabeu, and, with his contract up in 2027, he could be available at a cut-price fee.

Indeed, that is still as high as £80m, but given his quality and the state of the market, that seems a good price. United would have to rival Liverpool for his signature.

Why Vinicius would be a perfect Cunha upgrade

There are few players in the world as deadly in attack as Madrid’s number seven, Vinicius. Although this season under Alonso has been tougher than previous campaigns in the Spanish capital, his quality speaks for itself.

Yet, even then, his 2025/26 season so far has been impressive. The former Flamengo star has managed five goals and four assists in 13 La Liga games, and 901 minutes.

That leaves him with a goal involvement every 100 minutes.

Surprisingly, he’s yet to score or assist in the Champions League this season, but that is a competition where he’s had plenty of prior success.

The 2021/22 campaign, where Los Blancos lifted the trophy, saw him register 11 goal involvements. Two years later, they won it again, with Vincius scoring six times and assisting five in just ten games, including a goal in the final.

If Vinicius were to move to Old Trafford, he could be considered an upgrade on Brazil teammate Cunha.

Of course, the new Red Devils number ten only moved to Old Trafford this summer, joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5m.

In terms of his sheer goals and assists output, the 19-cap Brazil star has only chipped in with one Premier League goal, an excellent finish against Brighton and Hove Albion.

He has seemingly impressed Amorim, who said he is a “maverick” footballer.

Yet, there is little doubt that Vinicius, described by Statman Dave as “the best player on the planet” back in the Champions League-winning season of 2023/24, would be an upgrade on his countryman.

Aside from his output, his pace and skill in one-vs-one situations are deadly.

Indeed, the stats from the current season back that up. For example, the Los Blancos number seven averages 3 successful take-ons and 8.9 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to 1.97 completed take-ons and 2.63 progressive carries for Cunha.

Goals and assists

0.9

0.13

Key passes

2.9

1.32

Goal-creating actions

0.8

0.13

Progressive carries

8.9

2.63

Take-ons completed

3

1.97

Whilst Cunha has enjoyed a good start to life at Old Trafford, Vinicius could take Amorim’s side to a whole new level. His deadly dribbling ability and eye for goal make him a complete attacker, one of the world’s best.

£80m isn’t the most outlandish fee for the quality of player. Perhaps the Brazilian could be the man who can finally make things click for Amorim at United.

Mbeumo upgrade: INEOS want to sign "best player in the world" for Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to target another elite-level talent for Ruben Amorim in the months ahead.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 25, 2025

After sacking Will Still, Southampton have now reportedly set their sights on hiring Stoke City manager Mark Robins, who scores well in their data-driven recruitment model.

The Saints have had a nightmare 18 months. Following relegation from the Premier League, which very nearly saw them break Derby County’s record-low points total, they turned to Still in an attempt to bounce straight back. Things didn’t quite go as planned, however, and the former Reims boss has now been relieved of his duties.

Releasing a statement after sacking Still, who won just two Championship games, technical director Johannes Spors said: “Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results.

“Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked. By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table.”

Sitting as low as 21st in the Championship, the Saints can’t afford to get their next appointment wrong. Already, names like Russell Martin have been mentioned in a return that is likely to spark mixed reactions.

The former Saints boss was sacked by Rangers earlier this season following a dire spell in charge, but could yet get the chance to restore his damaged reputation at St Mary’s.

Frank Lampard has also been mentioned as a potential candidate following the work that he’s done at Coventry City. Alas, the Sky Blues currently sit top of the Championship and luring Lampard away at such a promising stage of his project would be no easy task.

Instead, another manager that Coventry fans know all too well could yet arrive to steer the Saints in the right direction.

Southampton now eyeing Mark Robins

According to talkSPORT, Southampton have also set their sights on Mark Robins. The Stoke City boss has scored well on their data-driven recruitment model as they look to hire the perfect next manager. Whether they can lure him away from Stoke is another question, however.

Having taken Coventry to the play-off final in the past, Robins has more than proved his ability to compete at the top of the second tier. And that has only continued at Stoke, who sit as high as third in the league after playing 13 games.

The fact that the 55-year-old turned Coventry into a side capable of reaching Wembley across a long-term project should make him a standout candidate for Southampton, who need a transformation themselves.

Unsurprisingly, Robins earned plenty of praise during his time at his former club. Former Coventry player Garry Thompson told reporters when the club sacked the veteran manager: “He got on with his job nice and quietly, he did a fantastic job.

“I’d be very surprised if he’s out of a job for another three or four months because he did such a good job at Coventry, a lot of clubs when they are looking for a manager will look towards Mark Robins.”

Southampton set sights on Russell Martin return

After sacking Liam Manning, Norwich City have reportedly conducted an interview with former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil and set a managerial deadline.

The Canaries made the decision to sack Manning after 15 Championship games in charge. The former Bristol City manager arrived off the back of an excellent campaign with the Robins, in which they secured a playoff place, but was unable to replicate that form in charge of Norwich.

Instead of the top six, the Canaries have found themselves in the bottom two courtesy of Manning and only above Sheffield Wednesday, who were hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration.

After two wins in 15 league games, Manning’s tenure suddenly makes former manager Johannes Hoff Thorup’s time at the club look rather promising, on reflection. Whether there’s some regret that those at Carrow Road didn’t give the latter more time is up for debate, however.

Sporting director Ben Knapper released a statement after sacking Manning, telling fans that they “tried absolutely everything possible” to turn things around under the former Bristol City boss.

Meanwhile, the search for a new manager is very much underway with reports going as far as to claim that the Canaries have already interviewed two candidates for the job.

Norwich interview Gary O'Neil

As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Norwich have now interviewed O’Neil for their vacant managerial role and are keen to make an official appointment in the next 10 days.

The ex-Premeir League manager was recently linked with a second stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but turned his former club down. Now, he could be on his way to Carrow Road.

Former Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has also reportedly been interviewed, but O’Neil’s Premier League experience should make him Norwich’s number one choice.

Dubbed “fantastic” by former Wolves winger Jordan Graham during his time in the Midlands, O’Neil has all the credentials needed to finally turn things around at Norwich, who sit four points adrift of safety in the Championship.

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