Ratcliffe in race against time to meet Amorim's five Man Utd transfer demands

Manchester United have a crucial summer of transfer business to conduct to ensure a solid platform for Ruben Amorim to work from as he attempts to turn around the club's fortunes

The clock is ticking on Manchester United's hope of delivering what Ruben Amorim wants in his bid to turn around the Red Devils' fortunes. The Portuguese coach is desperate to improve upon the club's 15th place finish in the Premier League.

This summer marks the first opportunity for Amorim to lead the club in pre-season, with a more substantial period to make signings after January saw the arrivals of Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu. It also sees the moment where Amorim preferred to arrive at Old Trafford before being told he had to join United in January.

The first transfer window of the summer is open until June 10, before the market once again becomes available to work in from June 16. United have already announced the arrival of Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal, but there remains plenty of work to do.

Amorim is said to have seen his first months in the job as firefighting as United failed to earn European football. Now, the 40-year-old wants to see a fresh start.

According to ESPN, he wants at least one more new signing while also getting rid of at least four unwanted players. The club heads to Chicago on July 22 - a date that Amorim would like to see the issues resolved by.

After signing Cunha, United are now working to add Bryan Mbeumo to their team. The Cameroon international is keen to make the switch, though United are still required to come to an agreement with Brentford.

It is perhaps exits that will be more important to maintaining a harmonious environment for Amorim however. Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony would all appear to have no future with the Red Devils, while Alejandro Garnacho faces an uncertain future too.

Sancho saw Chelsea pay a £5million fee to not sign him permanently, while Rashford's transfer preference is Barcelona, who would perhaps prefer to loan the forward. Antony meanwhile enjoyed a promising loan at Real Betis, while Garnacho has been told to find a new club amid an end of season dispute.

If deals are not sealed in time for United's trip to the United States, it puts Amorim and the club in the difficult position of deciding how to integrate such players. Taking those stars on tour risks disruption to Amorim's preparations, while leaving them out could see their values drop quickly.

Amorim has discussed United's plans for the summer. “Without Champions League, we don’t need a big squad, we can control the squad in a better way," he said.

"Then we have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course. But our big plan is to improve the team that we have, is to improve our academy, because I think that is the future. It was the past, so can be the future.

“It’s not going to change so much because we have the financial fair play rules. We are not allowed to do much this summer, even with Champions League, so we are prepared for that.

“It’s important to stick together. We are going to struggle, it is not going to be everything right away but I have a feeling and I see the team improving and that is the most important thing.”