Ruben Amorim told to target two Manchester United transfers with former player tipped for return

Inevitable speculation mooting that incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim will raid Sporting CP for some of their players in January has been quickly shut down by the man himself.

“I will not take any of Sporting’s players in January. But that’s another story,” he told the media this week. One of the players most tipped for a move to United because of his links with Amorim is Sporting attacker Viktor Gyokeres.

The striker has scored a brilliant 20 goals in 16 matches this season, carrying on his form from last term, which saw him bag 43 goals in 50 outings. However, Amorim knows how tricky it will be to land the Sweden international.

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“Gyokeres costs £100m. It’s very complicated,” he said. Whether United spend in January is unclear in light of spending limits.

More than £200million splashed in the summer, and United have dished out a combined £25m in compensation for the firing of Erik ten Hag and the hiring of Amorim.

Either way, Amorim will have a good idea which areas of his squad need strengthening by the new year. And analysts have already been casting their own verdicts ahead of the new coach’s start date.

Owen Hargreaves believes United need another centre-back and striker, despite acquiring reinforcement in both areas this summer.

Defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro were brought in ahead of the new season, while forward Joshua Zirkzee was also signed. De Ligt has endured a stumbling start, while Yoro has yet to make his competitive debut after fracturing his metatarsal in pre-season.

Zirkzee, meanwhile, has not scored in 13 matches, having netted the winner in the opening day 1-0 win over Fulham. United have scored just eight times in their opening nine games and have shipped 11 goals in the process.

“I think [Amorim] needs a striker, and I think he needs a centre-back,” Hargreaves told Premier League Productions, as per TBR Football. “But I’m just excited. I think we just needed a change, and this is a brilliant change, and I’m sure he’s going to want to spend some money.”

Meanwhile, reports continue to suggest that Amorim might consider a move for Benfica left-back Alvaro Fernandez, who left United’s academy this summer. United are struggling for numbers in the position, with Diogo Dalot currently deputising there amid a spate of injuries.

Luke Shaw has suffered another setback in his recovery while Tyrell Malacia is being reintroduced slowly, having not played since May 2023 due to hiccups in his rehabilitation from serious knee surgery. United have a buy-back clause in Fernandez’s Benfica deal and will be known to Amorim due to playing in the same league as Sporting.

The 21-year-old - who never made his competitive senior debut for United despite winning reserve player of the year in 2022 - has been tracked by Amorim, as per Give Me Sport.