Conor Gallagher provides Manchester United transfer boost

Manchester United continue to build momentum under Ruben Amorim, with the squad showing far more balance and control during their recent unbeaten run.

The midfield department, however, remains a talking point, with United exploring ways to strengthen the core of the team without disrupting the progress of their younger talents.

Amorim has stressed repeatedly that January will be about smart decisions rather than panic buys, and Ineos have been clear that only the right profile will be considered.

Supporters have also been vocal about the need for more depth, especially with several fixtures tightening up the schedule heading into an important part of the season.

All of this has coincided with growing transfer noise around a midfielder who appears increasingly open to a move.

Manchester United might be forced to dip into the transfer market in January, particularly in midfield, and Conor Gallagher has been linked repeatedly.

Gallagher is viewed as the perfect Ineos-style addition thanks to his age profile, Premier League experience and his current situation at Atletico Madrid.

Bringing him in as part of a deal that results in Kobbie Mainoo leaving would be hugely contentious, but that debate reflects Mainoo’s importance rather than any criticism of Gallagher.

Gallagher has now fuelled the rumours by admitting he is “not satisfied” amid fresh January talk linking him to United.

Despite limited minutes in Spain, he has been a model professional, maximising every opportunity offered to him.

Diego Simeone values the player, but Conor Gallagher finds himself in a similar position to Mainoo, both wanting more regular minutes ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

United could present him with a solution, with a loan plus option-to-buy arrangement being discussed as a realistic route.

In an interview with AS, Gallagher made his stance clear while remaining respectful of Atletico.

He said: “I’m not satisfied [with playing time].

“I don’t think anyone is if they’re not playing as much as they’d like, but I’ll keep working very hard to help the team whenever I have the chance, and hopefully, more opportunities to be a starter will come.

“I’m very happy here.

“My goal is to win titles with Atleti, and I want to have a bigger role in the team.

“And, as I’ve said, I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to play more minutes and help the team.”

Gallagher added that it is difficult to showcase his full ability when restricted to reduced minutes, another subtle message to his current club that he expects more.

With United monitoring him closely, January could offer him exactly the opportunity he is pushing for, and give Amorim the midfield depth he needs.