Overview

• Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly said Ruben Amorim will be judged over three years, yet reports say a contingency shortlist includes Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola.
• Recruitment priorities for January are a midfielder for the two-man pivot and a right wing-back, with the midfield search shaped by Kobbie Mainoo’s desire to leave in that window.
• Senior defenders Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martínez are under assessment as the club reviews long-term options in defence.
• Manchester Evening News reports the hierarchy expects an immediate upturn, with Amorim urged to find solutions within his 3-4-2-1 and still seeking back-to-back league wins before visiting Liverpool.
• New signing Benjamin Sesko drew criticism on Slovenia duty after a quiet display against Kosovo, intensifying scrutiny of early-season arrivals.