Man Utd are getting close to signing the player Ruben Amorim really wanted and hoped would be a key part of the team.
Manchester United are reportedly looking to make their first summer signing—a player Ruben Amorim wanted to bring in when he was in charge.
Amorim was let go in January after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, and during his last press conference, he hinted there were disagreements with the club’s leadership. After he left, reports came out about his final weeks, including a story that he had a heated argument with Jason Wilcox after the director of football questioned his tactics.
Amorim stuck with a 3-4-3 formation most of the time—switching briefly to a back four in December—and picked players to fit that style. Now, with United having already secured a spot in next season’s Champions League under interim manager Michael Carrick, the club can plan ahead and try to sign important targets early.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg says Elche centre-back David Affengruber plans to leave the Spanish club this summer, and United is one of five teams watching him. Atlético Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, and Sevilla are also interested in the Austria international.
TEAMtalk previously mentioned that the 25-year-old defender was on United’s radar. Amorim saw him as a great long-term partner for Leny Yoro in defense. Actually, Affengruber might even help Carrick or a future permanent manager, since he can also play right-back in a back four.
Affengruber started in RB Salzburg’s youth academy, spent three years at Sturm Graz, and joined Elche in 2024. He hopes to play in this summer’s World Cup, having made his international debut in March. Austria will face Argentina, Algeria, and first-time participants Jordan in Group J.
His release clause at Elche is said to be around €20 million—a fair price for United as they prepare to return to Europe’s top club competition next season.