RUBEN AMORIM is already working to make his Manchester United defense stronger.

The new manager of United wants Tomas Araujo, a 22-year-old rising star for Benfica. When the transfer window starts in January, he could try to get the central defender for £50 million.

On Friday, Amorim will meet with people in charge at Old Trafford to talk about a move for Araujo.

This season, Araujo has been an important part of the Portuguese giant’s team. He has teamed up with former Manchester City goalkeeper Nicolas Otamendi in the back line.

This season, the Red Devils have had a lot of back-up injuries, and Amorim has already set his eyes on his countryman, who just won his first international cap last week.

Araujo came up through the Benfica school and was wanted by Crystal Palace and Paris Saint-Germain last summer. 

Still, Benfica’s managers turned down the offers, but some of Europe’s best clubs are keeping a close eye on the situation.

This season, he’s played eight league games in Portugal and has one assist. This has helped Bruno Lage’s team get back on track after Roger Schmidt was fired in October.

Since Araujo started playing regularly, Benfica has only lost one game. He has also started the last four Champions League games.

SunSport has learned that Amorim, the new manager of Old Trafford, has put Araujo on his list of people he wants to get rid of as he starts to rebuild United.

Amorim wants someone like Araujo, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, good at passing the ball, and physically strong, but he still has a lot of room to grow.

He is thought to be the best player to come out of Portugal’s most successful youth system since Ruben Dias, who now plays for Manchester City. He can play in the middle of the defense or on the right side.

The rising star Portuguese player has a 100 million euro release option because Benfica sees him as one of their most valuable assets.

SunSport has learned that Jorge Mendes, the famous super agent who helped Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, is trying to get Amorim to work closely with him.

The Old Trafford manager, on the other hand, has his own ideas.

“Ruben wants everyone to be on the same page,” a person close to Amorim told SunSport. He’s not going to change how he works.