Ruben Amorim has been handed a stark warning about the challenging job of luring new players to Manchester United, as the club's appeal seems to be waning. The cautionary note was sounded as reports have surfaced that United might be set to lose out on Swedish sensation Viktor Gyokeres in the summer.
The striker, who previously playing under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, is reportedly keen on Champions League football - something currently out of reach for United who sit in the lower echelons of the Premier League table, according to The Sun. Gyokeres' ambitions could spell trouble for United, whose hopes of qualifying for the Champions League depend heavily on their Europa League success - a prospect that looks increasingly doubtful after their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the round of 16 first leg. With an impressive tally of 37 goals from just 39 matches this season, the 26-year-old won't be short of suitors either.
Adding their woes, former United goalkeeper Ben Foster has expressed concern over the club's turbulent situation both on and off the pitch, which he fears could drive away potential signings. The ex-England international, who was at Old Trafford for five years, suspects Amorim will face a protracted battle to secure the right talent to fit into his preferred 3-4-3 formation, labelling the current state of affairs at United as "carnage".
"They (United) have got all sorts of problems," he revealed to Hayters. "I don't know whether the on-pitch stuff is the worst or the off-pitch. I haven't got a clue, and I don't think anybody at the football club really knows what's going on. It's carnage, and a complete rebuild is needed."
"I don't know how they're going to go about it, because it's not going to be an easy fix either. It's going to be a long, slow process. If you look at some of the teams that are above them in the Premier League, they're years ahead of Man United. It's going to take a long time to get rid of some of the players that don't fit the system.
"It's going to take a long time to recruit the players that he wants and they are not necessarily going to want to come to the club as well. It won't be their first choice, which is crazy really. If you talk about Man United in years gone by, they are the first choice but not anymore."
United's woes in attack this season have been evident, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to find consistent form. Targets like Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford as the club seeks to bolster its attacking options next season.