Manchester United have been boosted in their bid to reunite Ruben Amorim with Viktor Gyokeres after the former Premier League defender revealed that Sporting Lisbon will be forced to sell him – while a player left out by Erik ten Hag gets a second chance at Old. Trafford under new boss.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move to bring Gyokeres to Old Trafford as part of the rebuilding process from Manchester United. Despite spending an estimated £616m ($737m, $777.6m) on new players during the Ten Hag era, the club have made a poor start to the new season, with Amorim inheriting a squad that are currently 13th in the Premier League and 15th in the 36. – Europa League power table.

One of the major problems that cost Ten Hag his job was the team’s inability to score goals. Last season they finished the Premier League season with just 57 goals from 38 games – just five better than relegated Luton – while this time around they have scored just 12 times in 11 games. £83.5 million.

That production clearly needs to improve if they are to climb the table and it’s no wonder Amorim is already being linked with a move to bring his former boss to Sporting CP. Gyokeres with him at Old Trafford.

And while such a deal won’t come cheap, even despite Sporting’s claims they would be willing to sell for less than the €100m (£83.5m, $105.4m) release clause exit, United’s hopes of landing the super Swede have been raised after the former Premier League. Star Jose Fonte has claimed they will have no choice but to sell.

“Portuguese clubs have no choice but to sell at the right price. We have to sell. Portuguese clubs have to sell one or two players every season,” said Fonte Daily Mirror.

Fonte, now 40 and still going strong with Casa Pia in the Primeira Liga, added: “We don’t have the same TV rights as in the Premier League, so we don’t have the ability to keep players. It would be great to see Portugal with a little more talent retention, of course.

“That’s what people in different federations are trying to do. Sporting will listen and probably have to sell Viktor Gyokeres because Portuguese clubs have to raise big money every year.”

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What did Gyokeres and Amorim say about the strikers links to Man Utd?

Gyokeres was questioned about the prospect of a move to the Premier League giants while on international duty with Sweden this week, but the 26-year-old star was quick to play down the speculation.

“He probably already has some forwards there, so we’ll see,” Gyokeres said Fotbollskanalen.

“It’s not something I think about. Of course you want to play the season at Sporting and I’m having fun there so I’m not stressed about making a move in the future. We’ll see when the time comes.”

However, the 25-times capped forward admits Amorim has played a big part in his development as a player, adding: “It’s very sad that he’s leaving, but of course we understand his decision.

“Obviously it meant a lot, given that he gave me that chance and made me develop so much. We are now looking forward to working with the new coach.”

Amorim recently played down claims that a reunion could be on the cards in Manchester, with the new United boss insisting he will not destroy his relationship with Sporting by signing their best players in January.

“If I start joking about this situation in Gyokeres, I will be in trouble,” Amorim told Portuguese media. A Bola shortly before the 39-year-old left the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

“This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect it. Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life will probably go somewhere else.”

Sporting president Frederico Vandaras also admits the chances of a summer exit are possible.

“I can’t promise anything. If a club comes and pays the release clause, if he (Gyokeres) wants to go, he will go,” said Varandas. as quoted by Fabrizio Romano. “But I don’t think that will happen in January.”

Gyokeres himself also denied that Amorim asked him to reunite in Manchester.

“No. It’s fun, but not something I attach any importance to because it’s talk and nothing concrete,” he confirmed.

Man Utd news: Amorim tipped to bring back Sancho / new boss ‘loves’ two stars

Meanwhile, Fonte believes Jadon Sancho is the type of player Amorim would love to work with and believes the winger, currently on loan at Premier League rivals Chelsea, could be given another chance to shine at Old Trafford.

“Jadon Sancho will have the opportunity to impress Ruben Amorim in the summer because it’s a new start and a new opportunity for everyone,” Fonte added. “It might spark something between him and Amorim because he knows exactly what he wants from his players in every area of ​​the pitch.

“He also likes to give the 10 the freedom to be creative and that’s exactly what Sancho needs. It could be a great opportunity for him.”

Elsewhere, Romano revealed that Amorim plans to build his Man Utd squad around Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo – two players the new boss will “love” and with a new contract planned for the latter.

Mainoo is now in his second season as a United regular and the teenager looks set for a huge pay rise.

And finally, reports from Italy are supportive Amorim is ready to sanction the double sale of two United stars, Harry Maguire and Joshua Zirkzee, both to the same Serie A side..

IN FOCUS: How Gyokeres thrived under Amorim

They only worked together for 16 months, but it was a transformative collaboration between Amorim and Gyokeres from Lisbon.

Gyokeres was already a prominent striker at Championship level with Coventry. It was obviously too good for the second tier – but it turns out it’s even better than people thought at the time.

Gyokeres scored 66 goals in 68 games under Amorim’s guidance. It means Amorim is the manager he has scored the most goals for in his career, overtaking Mark Robins.

In fact, Gyokeres had scored as many goals under Amorim as his former boss at Coventry (43) by the end of his debut season in Lisbon.

The 43 goals under Robins have come in 116 appearances, which underlines the amazing rate Gyokeres has scored under Amorim.

Not to mention he has made more assists under Amorim (23) than any other manager (Robins being second again with 17).

Amorim has certainly unlocked Gyokeres’ potential to reach the next level on the European stage, and the striker can only hope to continue in the same vein under another manager – if they don’t reunite one day.