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