Man United approves signing Conor Gallagher to replace Mainoo
Ruben Amorim is said to have given Man United the green light to negotiate Conor Gallagher in January. The 25-year-old midfielder has been little used at Atletico and promises to upgrade the pressing at Old Trafford.
According to Football Insider, Ruben Amorim has given Manchester United the green light to move for Conor Gallagher in January. If completed, this could be the first piece to reshape Old Trafford's midfield: energetic, persistent in pressing and ready to replace Kobbie Mainoo in the Portuguese coach's tactical options.
Deal context: from missed opportunity to January green light
Manchester United tried to sign Gallagher on deadline day in the summer of 2024 but failed. The 25-year-old joined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea, but quickly faced the reality: he was no longer a regular under Diego Simeone. The prospect of fewer minutes on the pitch made Gallagher consider a return to the Premier League, where he had previously shone for Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
This time, Man United acted earlier. According to the above source, Amorim assessed Gallagher as suitable for his system, creating more basis for the club to speed up the negotiation process in January.
Why Gallagher fits Amorim's Man United
The key is intensity and two-dimensionality. Gallagher is considered one of the typical box-to-box midfielders of the new generation of English football: constantly moving, pressing proactively, supporting the defense and ready to run into space. With Man United struggling with ball control and high pressing, a midfielder with Gallagher’s physical foundation and high activity rate is a necessary complement.
Amorim is considered to value structure and discipline in pressing. There, Gallagher brings three core values:
- Ability to trigger first-line pressing from midfield, close down vertical passing lanes and force opponents to pass horizontally or long.
- Quick transition: recover the ball and immediately open up a transition attack.
- Sustained energy helps maintain intensity throughout both halves, keeping the team compact and in sync.
It is no coincidence that Gallagher was once praised by Mauricio Pochettino as an “invaluable player” thanks to his all-round and energetic playing style. At Old Trafford, that quality promises to create more cover for the defense, while increasing the number of times he enters the penalty area from the second line.
Quick deal information
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Object | Conor Gallagher (25 years old) |
| Current club | Atletico Madrid |
| Location | Box-to-box midfielder |
| Expected time | January transfer window |
| Care about | Manchester United; Tottenham; Crystal Palace |
Challenges: competition and costs
Despite not being a regular starter, Gallagher is still considered a valuable asset by Atletico. That means the transfer fee will not be cheap. Besides Man United, Tottenham and Crystal Palace are also closely monitoring him, while Simeone still has a certain place for him in the plan. This situation makes any negotiation require a clear and decisive roadmap from Old Trafford.
Expected role and impact at Old Trafford
If he were to join United, Gallagher would likely be included as a replacement for Kobbie Mainoo in formations that prioritise intensity and mobility in midfield. Tactically, he could:
- Reinforce the high pressing layer, reducing the load on the forward line in the task of blocking the passing direction.
- Increases the ability to win the ball in the opponent's half, shortening the transition distance from defense to attack.
- Create extra second-line runs, adding numbers in the box when the team needs zonal pressure.
The impact off the pitch is also significant. Returning to the Premier League helps Gallagher find his rhythm and opens up the opportunity to regain his place in the England team ahead of the World Cup, boosting his personal motivation to match Man United's collective ambition.
Prospects
With the green light from Amorim, Man United clearly have a tactical and convincing advantage in the Gallagher story. However, the market competition and Atletico's valuation will be a test of Old Trafford's determination. If completed, this is not just a contract to increase numbers, but could be a turning point in regenerating the pressing identity and energy in Man United's midfield.
