Ruben Amorim will want a new striker at Manchester United this summer and one target previously sunk his Sporting side.
In Portugal, Ruben Amorim created a dominant team and ended Sporting’s 19-year wait for a league title.
That’s exactly why Ineos moved quickly to appoint him as Erik ten Hag’s successor back in November, but his first few months in Manchester have been difficult.
Amorim cut a frustrated figure as he watched his United side waste countless opportunities through poor finishing. It was clear that the priority this summer would be to add more firepower to the side, but so far only Matheus Cunha has been signed.
A new striker will be a top priority, and one target will be a very familiar face to Amorim.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Everton vs Ipswich Town.
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Ruben Amorim’s Sporting were beaten by Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Having missed out on Liam Delap and now Viktor Gyokeres too, United are now being linked with much cheaper options and even free agents such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
United have been offered Calvert-Lewin following his release from Everton, but making a move for the 28-year-old would be a huge risk.
Former manager Alan Pardew claims Calvert-Lewin is as good as Gyokeres on his day, but his injury record and struggles at Everton in recent years will naturally cause some concern.
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Amorim will know Calvert-Lewin well, and not just from his time in the Premier League. Back in 2023, Amorim’s dominant Sporting side were beaten 1-0 by Everton in a pre-season match at Goodison Park.
The only goal of the game was scored by Calvert-Lewin, who told BBC Sport: “I felt good, I felt sharp. I feel more confident now.”
Amorim wants a physical striker and United have shopped around for Premier League-proven stars this summer, but it seems as though Calvert-Lewin is a back-up option if other targets fall through.
Calvert-Lewin was described as a “complete” striker by Carlo Ancelotti during his time as Toffees boss, and Amorim could be tempted to take a gamble on him this summer.
Ruben Amorim faces Everton in pre-season again
Two years on from Sporting’s defeat to Everton, Amorim will meet the Toffees again in pre-season this summer, and this time his United side will be put to the test.
United will fly out on their pre-season tour of the United States next week, with three games to follow in the Premier League Summer Series.
The last of United’s three Stateside fixtures is against Everton – a side that Amorim had success against last season.
READ MORE: Shocking Dominic Calvert-Lewin stat proves he is the opposite of what Ruben Amorim has asked for at Man Utd
United beat Everton 4-0 early into Amorim’s tenure, with Marcus Rashford scoring a brace at Old Trafford just weeks before being frozen out of the squad.
Amorim has struggled to get results against Premier League sides, so he will hope to show signs of progress this summer.