Manchester United are reportedly aiming to complete their first summer transfer – for a player who Ruben Amorim wanted to sign when he was in charge.
Amorim was sacked in January after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, having strongly hinted at disagreements with the club’s hierarchy during his final press conference.
In the days that followed, various reports emerged surrounding his final weeks in charge, including a claim that he ‘blew up’ in a meeting with Jason Wilcox after the director of football had questioned his tactics and formation.
Amorim was welded to a 3-4-3 formation throughout his time in charge – except for a brief switch to a back four in December – and targeted players to fit that system accordingly.
With United already having qualified for next season’s Champions League under the interim management of Michael Carrick, it has allowed the club to forward plan and secure the signatures of key transfer targets ahead of time.
According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Elche centre-back David Affengruber is planning to leave the Spanish club this summer – with United one of five teams to have scouted him.
David Affengruber has made 73 appearances for Elche since signing in 2024 (Image: Getty)
Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Sevilla are the other teams credited with an interest in signing the newly-capped Austria international.
TEAMtalk previously reported that the 25-year-old was on United’s radar, and that Amorim saw the defender, who stands at 6ft 1in tall, as a perfect long-term partner for Leny Yoro at the heart of his side’s defence.
As it happens, Affengruber’s arrival might benefit Carrick – or another permanent manager – more than Amorim, given his versatility means he can also play at right-back in a back four.
He came through the youth academy at RB Salzburg before spending three years at fellow Austrian side Sturm Graz. Elche signed him in 2024.
Affengruber will be hoping to go to this summer’s World Cup, having made his international debut in March. Austria have been drawn in Group J alongside Argentina, Algeria and debutants Jordan.
It is claimed that his release clause – mandatory in Spanish football contracts – at Elche stands at around €20 million, which would be more than affordable for United as they look to prepare for a return to Europe’s top club competition next season.
