Man Utd cut-price midfield transfer option gathers weight as Cunha calls him 'unbelievable'

Manchester United boss Rúben Amorim is preparing to reinforce his midfield in January as the club looks to strengthen its push for Champions League qualification.

United are currently unbeaten in five Premier League matches — their best run since Amorim’s arrival a year ago — and confidence is growing at Old Trafford that they can return to Europe’s elite competition next season.

With that in mind, club officials are ready to build on what they view as an extremely successful summer transfer window.

After spending £200million to overhaul the attack and securing a new No.1 goalkeeper in Senne Lammens, midfield upgrades are next on the agenda.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes have become Amorim’s preferred pairing, but the Brazilian’s long-term future remains uncertain, and there is ongoing speculation that Manuel Ugarte could be sold to help raise funds.

Questions also surround Kobbie Mainoo, with Amorim still unsure of his best role, while the youngster’s limited minutes have harmed his hopes of making the next World Cup.

United are admirers of Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, whose reputation continues to rise, although Liverpool and Manchester City are also monitoring him.

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is another long-term target, but both players could command fees in excess of £100m.

As first reported in Portugal, Wolves midfielder João Gomes has now emerged as a more attainable alternative.

The Brazilian — previously hailed as “unbelievable” by United forward Matheus Cunha, his compatriot and former Wolves teammate — has been extensively scouted by United over the past 18 months. A price of around £44m has been suggested abroad, making him a considerably cheaper option compared to Anderson or Baleba.

However, any move at that valuation would likely have to wait until the summer. Wolves sit bottom of the Premier League and remain winless, with new manager Rob Edwards tasked with keeping them in the division.

The club has effectively given Edwards a gentleman’s agreement not to sell key players in January to maximise their survival chances — including Gomes.

That could change if United submit a bid far above Wolves’ valuation, but such an offer would need to exceed the figures currently being reported. For Gomes, the decision also carries World Cup implications.

He wants regular Premier League minutes to boost his chances of making Brazil’s squad next summer, something he is guaranteed at Wolves but not necessarily at United. Yet waiting until summer carries its own risks, as United may pursue other targets by then.