Man Utd believe duo can turn into goalscoring machines like Gyokeres under Amorim after talks - report

Manchester United have discussed how incoming head coach Ruben Amorim can have the same effect he had on Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting Lisbon on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, according to the Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.

He claimed in his ‘Reading the Game’ weekly newsletter on Friday that the topic came up in negotiations, with the Red Devils impressed with how the Sweden international has turned into a hitman under the Portuguese.

Having scored only nine Premier League goals so far, it is safe to say Man United have largely struggled in front of goal this term, with just three goals between their striking duo across 27 games.

Gyokeres has notched 23 goals in just 17 appearances in 2024-25, bagging a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Manchester City on Tuesday, and he has now taken his tally to 66 goals in 67 games for the Portuguese top-flight club.

Man United are one of the clubs that have been linked with the 26-year-old, but it appears the board would prefer if Amorim can help mould both Hojlund and Zirkzee into quality goalscorers after his success with Gyokeres.

The Swede always had the potential but was not regarded as someone capable of turning into a top player following earlier struggles in the Bundesliga 2 and Championship.

He made just eight appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion before he was sold to Coventry City.

While he scored 40 goals in his last two seasons in the English second division following four goals in 31 games across loan spells with Swansea City and Coventry in 2020-21, not many tipped him to hit the ground running in the Primeira Liga.

Gyokeres has since proven himself in the Europa League and Champions League, and the Man United boss has to be given credit for that.

Whether he can replicate that at the Old Trafford club remains to be seen, but he will fancy his chances given how both Hojlund and Zirkzee impressed at their former clubs.