Manchester United add Gonçalo Ramos to winter shopping list

With the divorce between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United consummated, the plan of action at Old Trafford is to turn the page and find a suitable replacement. United are waiting for the the winter market to open on 1 January with Benfica’s Gonçalo Ramos added to the list of potential reinforcements.

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Ramos is still only 21 years old, but his performances this season with Benfica along with his hat-trick against Switzerland at the World Cup have helped to raise his profile. And among the clubs who are interested in signing him are United who, according to ESPN, are ready to negotiate with the Portuguese club for the young striker.

He kept Cristiano on the bench in both of Portugal’s knockout games at Qatar 2022 (the round of 16 against Switzerland and quarter final against Morocco); Ramos fits into the age bracket and price policy (Benfica was considering offers for 20 million euros at the start of the season) that United have in mind, but he not the only candidate on their list. Other young forwards on their radar at the moment include: Cody Gakpo (PSV), Rafael Leão (AC Milan) and João Félix (Atlético Madrid).

Restricted budget

However, despite Ten Hag’s insistence that the team lacks firepower in attack, there are no sufficient guarantees that a striker will arrive in January. The economic limitations are very clear and United have a very restricted budget as it is conditioned by the latent economic effects of both the Covid-19 pandemic and by a higher-than-expected outlay last summer.