The player could become Ruben Amorim’s first signing as Manchester United manager.

Manchester United have reportedly made a shock enquiry over the signing of a player from one of their Premier League rivals.

Monday sees Ruben Amorim officially become the club’s new manager, although he will have to wait to take charge of training sessions as he is yet to receive a work permit.

Ruud van Nistelrooy managed his final game in interim charge on Sunday, a 3-0 win over Leicester at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman will meet with Amorim this week and says he does not know whether he will revert back to his usual role as assistant manager upon the arrival of a new regime.

Elsewhere, United already appear to be getting a head start on their transfer business ahead of Amorim’s first match in charge against Ipswich on November 24.

Although January spending may not be significant – The Athletic report United are treading close to FFP limits as a result of the costs associated with sacking Erik ten Hag and paying compensation to Sporting for Amorim – there may be a shock move on the way.

According to, the club have made a shock enquiry to Chelsea over the signing of forward Christopher Nkunku.

The French forward, 26, has been out of favour under Enzo Maresca in the Premier League and has been restricted largely to domestic cup and European appearances.

He has scored nine goals from those seven appearances in other competitions, as opposed to one goal in 10 Premier League matches – though he has started one league game all season.

Nkunku was signed by Chelsea in the summer of 2023 after scoring an incredible 36 goals in his final two Bundesliga seasons with RB Leipzig. However, his first campaign at Stamford Bridge was decimated by injuries.

French outlet L’Equipe report that United have identified Nkunku, who has a contract until 2029, as a target.

Christopher Nkunku celebrates after scoring against Servette in the Conference League – Getty

Chelsea are said to willing to sell for the right price, though it is unclear whether they would do business with a long-standing Premier League rival.

Speaking last week ahead of Chelsea’s 8-0 win over Noah, Maresca stated that Nkunku was one player he wanted to give more opportunities to – but that the balance of the team meant he could not pick him/

“We need that defensive balance,” he explained. “And we cannot play with Joao [Felix], Cole Palmer, Christo.

“I’d like to put all of them on the pitch, but then you need to defend and you need the right balance.

“I try to find solution and balance with all of them but not all of them can be in their position. They have to adapt a bit.

“It’s for Joao, Christo, Misha [Mudryk], they are all players who deserve more chances in the Premier League. But there are also more players who deserve that.”