Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will be denied the opportunity to scout Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes in person when the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Monday, after the Brazilian received his fifth yellow card of the season and will serve a one-match ban.
Gomes, valued at around £44m, has been linked with a move to United as they look to strengthen their midfield in the January transfer window. Wolves, currently bottom of the Premier League with just two points from 14 games, are said to believe his value is higher if they stay in the top flight.
United are expected to prioritise a central midfielder in January, with previous targets including Carlos Baleba (Brighton), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest). The club spent over £200m on a goalkeeper, striker and two forwards in the summer but failed to add to their midfield.
Another Wolves midfielder, Andre, is also on United's radar, along with Arsenal and Liverpool. However, potential departures from Old Trafford could impact Amorim's plans, with Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Tyrell Malacia all reportedly available for transfer.
The situation is further complicated by the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which will see Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui leave for international duty, leaving United short of options for the second half of the season.
