Revealed: Manchester United's plan to rebuild midfield - and how they'll pay for it

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Ruben Amorim continues to lean on a Manchester United engine room he knows is not built for the long haul. One the Portuguese coach hopes will still function until the end of this season, before it is given a serious overhaul .

Bruno Fernandes continues to be the main cog and most influential part of United's midfield, while Brazilian veteran Casemiro has found a new lease of life in recent weeks to suggest he can still do a job for his team, despite approaching the age of 34. And Mason Mount has offered glimpses of the form which once persuaded United to spend £60m luring him to Old Trafford.

But Amorim knows he is still papering over the cracks, when it comes to an area of the team where the biggest games are won and lost. Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot are not up to the standards required at the highest level, while Kobbie Mainoo 's career has gone backwards faster than Max Verstappen in reverse .

Before agreeing to take charge of United, Amorim revealed he had followed the fortunes of the English giants since being young. So he knows more than most how the most successful United teams on record were defined by those magical of midfield units.

Like the one Sir Alex Ferguson put together, in the shape of Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham. And these four also had a little help from a certain Ryan Giggs. This formidable quartet helped United win the Treble back in 1999 - and countless other trophies.

Fergie also had the privilege of having United greats Bryan Robson and Paul Ince bossing games in a previous era. What would Amorim give to be able to call on players like Robson and Keane now?

Instead, what Amorim will have to give is a huge amount of cash to other clubs next summer, if he wants to build a midfield capable of earning comparisons with the greatest of them all.

United bosses spent last summer addressing the team's glaring deficiencies in attack. And will spend the next one targeting the heartbeat of the side. Director of football Jason Wilcox is working closely with Amorim to compile a list of realistic targets.

These include Brighton's Carlos Baleba, who United made tentative enquiries about six months ago. There is also interest in England international Adam Wharton, Wolves star Joao Gomes and VFB Stuttgart sensation Angelo Stiller.

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In short, Amorim wants a midfield of youth, energy and class. None of these will come cheap, with Baleba being valued in the region of £115m.

But co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it his mission to balance the books at Old Trafford since taking a stake in the club 18 months ago. Ratcliffe has cut jobs across the board and reduced the player wage bill. And the INEOS supremo knows United's bid to strengthen their midfield options will also be shaped by the prospect of making more significant savings between now and then.

These include seeing the contracts of highest earners Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and Harry Maguire coming to an end. Sancho will leave on a free contract, and if Casemiro and Maguire want to stay, they will have to do so on significantly reduced terms. There is also confidence Marcus Rashford's £325,000-a-week salary will be removed by a permanent move to Barcelona.

If those four are all gone, that'll be £1m-a-week off the wage bill - not to mention whatever fee they receive for Rashford added on top.

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