Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has already been warned of one potential area of concern surrounding Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, despite working with the player.
Viktor Gyokeres has attracted interest from Manchester United and the 27-year-old Swedish striker is tipped to leave Primeira Liga champions Sporting CP this summer.
The Sweden international has played a key role in leading the frontline for Sporting and Ruben Amorim is all too familiar with Gyokeres after managing him.
Gyokeres has been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks after an impressive spell at the Estadio Jose Alvalade following his 2023 move from Coventry City.
The Sweden striker scored a remarkable 54 times in 52 matches across all competitions for Sporting in the 2024-25 campaign at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
United target Gyokeres is under contract with Sporting until 2028 and the Portuguese outfit are expected to play hardball over a fee for the player.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd attacking star catches eye of two Premier League clubs, player’s ‘preference’ is revealed
Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting thanks supporters for standing following the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting CP and FC Famalicao at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 15, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
More United News
Viktor Gyokeres’ playing style at Sporting CP does have one eye-catching flaw amid Man Utd and Arsenal transfer interest
Viktor Gyokeres has a £85m release clause in his current deal with Sporting CP and the Primeira Liga side are only prepared to cash in for the ‘right’ offer.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has already dismissed the idea that a verbal agreement was made between the club and Gyokeres over his transfer fee.
It is believed that the fee would have been around £59m, but Varandas suggested that Sporting’s demand would be not to ask for the full release clause for a transfer.
Joao Pereira replaced Ruben Amorim at the Estadio Jose Alvalade after the former Sporting boss left the club and arrived as Manchester United manager in 2024.
However, the 41-year-old Portuguese manager’s reign lasted only six weeks before he was sacked by Sporting last December, with Rui Borges succeeding him.
Joao Pereira hinted at one area of concern in Gyokeres after Sporting’s 2-1 defeat to Moreirense in the Liga Portugal tie in Moreira de Conegos last December.
“I don’t know if his header is Gyokeres’ weak point,” he said, as per Maisfutebol in 2024.
“Even from corners, he has been winning some important headers at the near post that didn’t result in a goal, but could have.”
READ MORE: ‘Significant stumbling block’ is stopping Ruben Amorim from offloading Man Utd player amid interest from one elite club
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres would need to improve his heading under Ruben Amorim if Man Utd landed him
Despite the prolific form of Gyokeres in Portugal, the verdict is still out for some people over whether or not he could cut it out in the Premier League.
Gyokeres is only one of several strikers linked with United, with the likes of Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic tipped as targets.
Amorim’s tactical system at United was something that Gyokeres had become accustomed to and he would be seen as the ideal fit for the manager.
However, Gyokeres’ lack of heading ability in the final third would raise question marks around whether or not he is suited for the Premier League’s physicality.
There is no denying the Sporting striker’s ruthless goalscoring record at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, but he would need to improve his heading if he signed for United.