Manchester United continue their aggressive push in the transfer market as they aim to secure reinforcements before pre-season kicks off. With Rúben Amorim now at the helm and backed by the board to spearhead a new sporting project, the focus is firmly on revamping an attacking unit that has lacked cutting edge in recent campaigns.
Amorim is clear in his demand: he wants a striker who can thrive in the Premier League, not just in terms of goals, but also through imposing physical presence and adaptability to high-tempo football. This has sparked internal debate over who the ideal forward should be.
While Amorim initially showed strong interest in Viktor Gyökeres, a player he previously coached at Sporting CP and helped elevate, a surprising voice has now joined the conversation. Fernando Lopes, president of the Portuguese lower-league side União Tires, publicly urged Amorim to abandon the pursuit of Gyökeres and instead consider Everton’s Beto, a striker he believes is better suited to the rigours of English football.
Should United trust Lopes’ advice and target Beto over Gyokeres for their attack?
Speaking to The Sun, Fernando Lopes made a compelling case against Manchester United pursuing Gyökeres. He argued that the Swedish striker’s style may not translate well to the intensity and demands of the Premier League. Instead, Lopes championed Beto as a more natural fit, citing the Everton striker’s physical dominance, strength in duels, and explosive pace as key attributes that suit the English game.
“Everyone thought Amorim would sign Gyokeres as he had him at Sporting but the Premier League is completely different to Portugal. Teams are more physical and compact at the back, it is quicker and more competitive. Gyokeres would struggle to play as a lone No 9 waiting for service. Beto’s a more physical player, who fights with defenders and doesn’t lose duels. He is a real headache for opponents — if he gets the service.
In their golden era, United always scored a lot of goals from set-pieces but haven’t had a proper striker for many seasons. Nowadays, teams have small, quick strikers or a false forward because there is an obsession for possession of the ball. Beto represents the typical old style, because of his physique, power and work-rate — plus he is very fast. When Moyes went to Everton he showed what a handful he is for defenders to stop. He’d be like Amorim’s ace up his sleeve in a game of poker.”
Should Manchester United take Fernando Lopes’ advice and prioritise Beto over Gyökeres? From a pragmatic standpoint, there’s a strong case to do so.
At 27, the Guinea-Bissau international has already adapted to the Premier League’s rhythm and physicality. He may not be as prolific as Gyökeres on paper, but Beto’s ability to battle defenders, win aerial duels, and stretch play with raw pace makes him a valuable tactical asset, especially for a side like United still sculpting its attacking identity under Ruben Amorim.
Gyökeres, while brilliant in Portugal, remains an unknown in the Premier League’s high-pressure, low-space environment. In a squad that’s not yet fully coherent, he risks being starved of service and impact. Beto, by contrast, offers Amorim a ready-made presence: robust in transitions, threatening on set-pieces, and reliable in chaos, exactly the kind of weapon United have lacked.
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Could Beto revive Manchester United’s threat from set-pieces? Absolutely. In terms of style and attributes, he embodies the mould of an old-school striker, one who doesn’t require multiple chances to unsettle defences. He may not be the most refined forward, but he is direct, physically imposing, and highly effective. Crucially, his price tag, just over £25 million, appears far more reasonable than the fee likely required for Viktor Gyokeres.
For a club in the midst of a rebuild, every pound spent must be justified. While Beto isn’t a guaranteed success, he offers exactly what Rúben Amorim seems to be looking for: practical, immediate, and functional solutions. If United are prioritising impact over reputation, Beto might just be the kind of answer that fits the project.