Manchester United’s turbulent season hit another setback as they suffered a heartbreaking FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham, losing on penalties.

With their Premier League campaign falling apart, currently sitting 14th in the table, securing European football via the league seems highly unlikely. This leaves the Europa League as their sole opportunity to salvage the season with silverware and a potential route back to the Champions League.

As the summer transfer window approaches, United are already assessing options to bolster their squad, particularly under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, who is expected to lead a major rebuild.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the Red Devils have now set their sights on Sporting CP forward Francisco Trincão as a potential reinforcement in attack.

The 25-year-old winger has a release clause of £66 million in his current contract, which runs until 2027 at the Estádio José Alvalade. Having joined Sporting from Barcelona, the Spanish giants still hold a 50% sell-on clause, making negotiations more complex.

Sporting are reluctant to part ways with Trincão and have already initiated discussions with his representatives over a possible contract extension. However, Manchester United aren’t the only club interested. Reports suggest Manchester City are also in pursuit, with their incoming sporting director, Hugo Viana, eager to bring the Portuguese attacker to the Etihad Stadium.

Trincão primarily operates as a left-footed right-winger and has thrived in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system at Sporting, playing behind Viktor Gyökeres. His versatility allows him to also function as a second striker or attacking midfielder, making him a valuable asset for any top club.

So far this season, he has registered nine goals and 13 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, showcasing his ability to influence games in the final third. Having previously experienced Premier League football during a loan spell with Wolves, he could seamlessly adapt if he returns to England.

With the summer transfer window looming, should Manchester United make the move and activate Trincão’s £66 million release clause

Ruben Amorim has suggested that Chido Obi could be in line for his first Manchester United start in the near future following his eye-catching performance off the bench against Fulham. The 17-year-old provided one of the few bright spots for United in their FA Cup exit, showcasing his potential as a first-team option.

Obi, who joined United from Arsenal last summer, made just his third senior appearance for the club and came close to marking it with a goal. The young forward had three notable opportunities—dragging one shot wide from a tight angle, narrowly missing another from close range, and forcing a strong save from Bernd Leno.

His 52-minute cameo produced more goal-scoring chances than Rasmus Hojlund has managed in 22 Premier League appearances this season. The Danish striker continues to struggle for form, extending his goal drought to 18 matches across all competitions.

With a crucial Europa League tie against Real Sociedad looming, Amorim faces a major selection dilemma. When asked if Obi could replace Hojlund in the starting lineup, the United boss remained open-minded. “Anything can happen in the next games,” he said. “We don’t have much time to train, but we need to assess the opposition and the physical condition of our players. My focus is always on the next match, and I will select the best players to win.”

As United look to rediscover their attacking edge, Obi’s breakthrough moment could be just around the corner

The decision-making process behind Manchester United’s penalty takers has come under scrutiny following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham. Manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on why Victor Lindelof took a pivotal spot-kick and hinted at possible changes to his attacking lineup.

United’s hopes of defending their FA Cup title ended in heartbreak after a dramatic penalty shootout at Old Trafford. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time—courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ late equalizer following Calvin Bassey’s opener—extra time failed to produce a winner. The subsequent shootout saw Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee miss crucial penalties, allowing Fulham to progress as Bernd Leno denied both attempts.

With Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Casemiro all converting their penalties, many were surprised to see centre-back Lindelof take the fourth spot-kick ahead of more attack-minded players. Addressing the controversial choice, Amorim stated, “Victor was extremely confident and has been excellent in training. He’s been scoring consistently in practice, so it was a natural decision.”

Beyond the penalty drama, Manchester United’s striking options remain a growing concern. First-choice forward Rasmus Hojlund extended his goal drought to 18 consecutive games, failing to convert a promising opportunity early in the first half against Fulham. Despite latching onto a low cross from Christian Eriksen, the Danish striker fired wide, struggling to make an impact before being substituted in the second half.

Hojlund’s lack of goals—just seven in 35 appearances this season, with his last strike coming in December—has intensified calls for a change up front. His replacement, teenage talent Chido Obi, offered a lively display in his brief cameo, crafting multiple chances and nearly finding the net in extra time, only to be thwarted by a superb Leno save.

With a crucial Europa League last-16 clash against Real Sociedad and a Premier League showdown with Arsenal looming, Amorim was asked about the potential for a tactical switch in attack. “Anything is possible in the coming games,” he admitted. “We have limited training time, so decisions will depend on our opponents and the physical condition of our players with the tight schedule.”

When pressed on whether United’s squad has enough firepower, the Portuguese manager acknowledged the issue. “Yes, we are struggling to score. Even against Ipswich, we mainly created danger from set-pieces. The key is generating more opportunities, and today we did that. Now, we must improve our finishing to support our forwards and help them regain confidence.”

As the Red Devils navigate a demanding fixture list, Amorim’s next selection decisions could prove crucial in turning around United’s attacking fortunes.