Manchester United will be without European football next season following a turbulent 2024/25 campaign.
There is no getting away from the fact that Manchester United had a disastrous season.
Ruben Amorim became head coach in November before enduring a difficult first six months at Old Trafford, with United finishing 15th in the Premier League after losing 18 of their 38 games.
To make matters worse, United lost the Europa League final 1-0 against Tottenham Hotspur.
It meant that Tottenham, who finished below United in the league table, will play in the Champions League in the upcoming season.
This is reportedly the reason why United’s transfer pursuit of one target has been delayed.
Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano explains Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer delay
As one of Europe’s top goalscorers, it’s no surprise that Viktor Gyokeres is a wanted man this summer.
The Swede has proven to be a prolific goalscorer for Sporting CP over the past two seasons, which has led to Gyokeres becoming a transfer target for several top clubs.
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While Arsenal are believed to be keen on Gyokeres, United have been heavily linked with the striker since Amorim became head coach.
However, United’s financial situation was made worse by missing out on Champions League football, meaning Ineos are bound to be restricted this summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, United’s failure to win the Europa League in May has complicated a potential deal for Gyokeres to move to Old Trafford.
The Italian journalist is almost certain that the 27-year-old would’ve been a United player by now had Amorim’s side secured qualification to Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Romano said in his video on his YouTube channel: “Viktor Gyokeres remains the other option on the table for Arsenal, but as it’s now two-three weeks that Arsenal are not advancing on the Gyokeres deal, all the other clubs keep calling his agents.
“That’s what happened in the last 48 hours. From what I heard, Man United, last week, had new contacts with Viktor Gyokeres’ camp to be informed on the situation. Something like ‘If Arsenal are not doing the deal, we are still there, we are still interested’.
“Then, for Man United, we have to see financially, how they can make it happen. Because, with Champions League football, I’m 99 per cent convinced that they were going to close the Gyokeres deal quite quickly. That was the feeling.
“Then, no Champions League football, they lost the final in Bilbao. It’s more complicated financially.”
Arsenal are also understood to be chasing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. That pursuit could see United given a free run to sign Gyokeres, unless another Premier League or European outfit intensifies their interest in the player.
Gyokeres shares key trait with Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is among the best penalty takers in the world.
The Portugal international has scored more penalties for United (38) than any other player in the club’s history.
However, United target Gyokeres has shown that he, too, can be lethal from the penalty spot.
The Swede scored 19 penalties for Sporting CP last term, which is a joint record for most penalties scored in a single season from the top ten European leagues since 2000, as per Transfermarkt.
Amazingly, Gyokeres holds the record with a former Sporting CP player, as Jardel scored 19 spot kicks during the 2001/02 season.
Player Penalties taken Penalties scored
Viktor Gyokeres (2024/25) 19 19
Jardal (2001/02) 22 19
Ciro Immobile (2019/20) 17 15
Bruno Fernandes (2019/20) 14 14
Cristiano Ronaldo (2011/12) 15 14
Teun Koopmeiners (2019/20) 15 14
Most penalties scored in a single season in the past 10 years
Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernandes join Gyokeres in the top five.