Manchester United’s striker search remains complicated, but in an ideal world, Viktor Gyokeres would be the obvious addition.
As the post-season tour of Asia wrapped up, Rasmus Hojlund sent a reminder that United needs to replace him this summer. The Dane looked lost when given the ball in the box, and things got worse when he was upstaged by Chido Obi.
The 17-year-old scored twice, but Manchester United still needs an elite number nine, which is where Viktor Gyokeres would be the top choice to arrive.
United have a free run at Gyokeres in terms of Premier League interest, with Arsenal and Chelsea both looking elsewhere for their new strikers.
This comes after it was claimed that Gyokeres to United was very unlikely, but with limited options, Ruben Amorim might be keen to convince his former player to join him as Ineos’ targets drop off the list.
If this move went through, it would be one following in great footsteps.
Photo by Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United and Sporting CP have a successful transfer history
Amorim is keen on signing Gyokeres this summer; however, right now the chances of this happening remain on the unlikely side. Despite this, Gyokeres and Amorim have a great relationship, which means we cannot rule it out.
If Gyokeres heads to Old Trafford, he will be following in the footsteps of some impressive signings made between United and Sporting CP.
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The first and most notable transfer between the clubs was Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003, which ended up being a signing of the century contender, considering what the Portuguese legend went on to achieve in football.
United attempted to replicate this in 2007 by signing Nani, who was also a huge success for the club in his seven-year stay, with 41 goals and 65 assists in 230 appearances.
Marcos Rojo was signed by Louis van Gaal as a cheap central defender/left back, and he proved to be reliable and played a big role for the club during his time.
Most recently, United signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting, which is the best signing United has made in years, with the Portuguese midfielder carrying the team at times.
Viktor Gyokeres would be a guaranteed success by Ineos
With consecutive summers for Manchester United seeing young strikers signed to little success, Ineos will want assurances of a player who will succeed and, most importantly, score goals.
United need a 20-goal-a-season striker, at the very least, and Gyokeres ticks that exact box.
Gyokeres finished second in the Golden Boot rankings across Europe for his 39 goals in the league and 54 in all competitions.
Even with a drop off to account for the level of opposition, there can be no debating that Gyokeres would be a bona fide success for United with the history in his favour.