We simulated the 2025/26 season with Viktor Gyokeres at Manchester United to see what could happen
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Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres
Manchester United are looking to make more attacking additions to their squad this summer, with in-demand Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres being linked with a move to Old Trafford.
It's no secret that a new striker is one of United's priorities in the summer transfer window, with goals proving a big issue for Ruben Amorim last season. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managed just seven Premier League goals combined in the previous campaign, with Everton the only non-relegated side to score fewer goals than United in the Premier League.
Matheus Cunha has already been signed by Amorim's side ahead of the upcoming campaign, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike and Gyokeres other names being linked with a move to United. Gyokeres is one of the most sought-after attacking options on the market this summer, with the 27-year-old managing 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting Lisbon last season.
Gyokeres seems the perfect option for United's attack, with the Sweden international already familiar with Amorim's system, having played under him at Sporting. So, if United were able to sign Gyokeres, how could the striker perform under Amorim next season? Let's take a look...
Man United's 2025/26 season simulated with Viktor Gyokeres
To set up this simulation, we used Football Manager 2024 to bring Gyokeres to United before simulating the 2025/26 season, and this is how the Swede performed in his debut season at Old Trafford: Gyokeres made an instant impact, with the striker scoring a hat-trick in his first Premier League game for the club. From there, the goals kept on coming, and by the end of the season, he was United's standout player.
United's top scorers from the 2025/26 season
United's top scorers from the 2025/26 season(Image: Football Manager 24)
Gyokeres made 40 appearances across all competitions, with the Swede starting 30 times and appearing off the bench 10 times. In that time, he scored 28 goals and grabbed two assists, 18 goals more than United's second-top scorer, Zirkzee (10).
24 of his goals came in the Premier League, with only Erling Haaland (30) scoring more than Gyokeres. His average rating per game (7.92) was also the highest in the United squad and one of the highest in the league, with the striker making the Premier League Team of the Season and being nominated for Premier League Player of the Year.
At the end of the 2025/26 season, Football Manager 2024 put together an overall best Man United XI, based on performances, statistics, and other metrics. This is what it looked like:
United's best XI from the 2025/26 season
United's best XI from the 2025/26 season(Image: Football Manager 24)
Full United best XI: (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Amad, Cunha; Gyokeres.
Of course, Gyokeres made United's best XI, with the striker being joined by Cunha and Amad in attack. Lisandro Martinez stayed fully fit to make the best XI, while Bruno Fernandes was partnered by Manuel Ugarte in midfield.
With Gyokeres adding a new source of goals to United's squad, Amorim's side was much improved in the Premier League. United were involved in a battle for the European spots all season long, and despite dropping points twice in their final five games, a superior goal difference saw Amorim's side finish fifth to claim a spot in next season's Champions League.
United finished fifth in the Premier League
United finished fifth in the Premier League(Image: Football Manager 24)
19 wins, nine draws and 10 defeats saw United end the season with 66 points, the same as Aston Villa in sixth. But Gyokeres' addition proved worthwhile, with his goals helping earn United a spot in the Champions League because of a better goal difference.
Away from the Premier League, Amorim's side came close to winning a trophy in the simulation, but they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the semi-finals of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, meaning there was no silverware for Gyokeres in his first season at United.
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