He had no intention of using the January transfer window to begin his revamp of the playing personal. Now he almost has no choice. The conditions are certainly stacked against him, but that does not mean he or the club’s new overlords are ruling out much transfer activity.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has demanded the immediate signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The Swedish striker has a release clause of £80m in his contract with the Portuguese club.