Manchester United urged to upgrade £36m forward in pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres

Since Joshua Zirkzee’s arrival at Manchester United last summer, questions have been asked of his form in front of goal.

Only manging to score one goal and provide two assists in 18 appearances this season, the Dutch international has struggled to reignite his form from Bologna that earned his place in United’s frontline.

In a recent interview with Slotswise, former United striker Louis Saha reflected on this as he expressed his worries about Zirkzee.

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“When you look at the performances of Joshua Zirkzee and when you look at the body language, you can see that this guy is searching for form," Saha said.

“Not having a deadly striker is definitely still a problem. He’s a different boy than he was when he was in Bologna and that is a worry.”

Last season, the Dutchman scored 12 goals and 7 assists in 37 appearances. He even managed to score more with Bayern Munich in just 17 senior appearances with four goals. The young centre-forward from Schiedam has struggled in front of goal in Manchester, and it’s already left United fans asking for someone better up front.

As such, Saha believes United should upgrade Zirkzee by signing Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres.

“[United need] Someone who can create his own chances and also be able to score scrappy goals when the team is not playing well. Gyokeres could well be that man and he obviously has history with Amorim, but the price tag could be an issue”.

Gyokeres has been in explosive form as of late and has many top clubs circling for his signature including Arsenal and United. The Swede has played up front for Sporting 70 times now and in that time has scored 67 goals and provided 19 assists. In this season alone, the 26-year-old has 24 goals and four assists in 20 appearances, which includes a hat-trick against Manchester City under current United manager Ruben Amorim.

Gyokeres played under the management of Amorim since 2023 and has become a powerhouse of goals since. His services at any club across Europe would be invaluable, but if Amorim wants his star striker from Sporting to join him at Old Trafford, United may have to break the bank to do so. Gyokeres is currently tied to a contract with Sporting lasting until 2028 with a €100 million release clause.

Whether United have the capabilities to sign such a hot talent or whether they need to are questions Saha has left to the manager.

“It’s up to Amorim to find the link between United’s striker and the creative players," Saha concluded.

"And if they can’t, then he has to find the right players in the transfer market, where that’s Gyokeres or someone else. I think in a few weeks we will have good understanding of which way it goes.”