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    Moment Arsenal star Gabriel mercilessly mocks Viktor Gyokeres with cheeky celebration… before Sporting star snaps back

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    GABRIEL MAGALHAES brutally mocked Viktor Gyokeres after scoring during Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Sporting Lisbon.The Gunners ran riot in the first half with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz before Gabriel, 26, scored a third in injury time to put them 3-0 up.Arsenal star Gabriel mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration after scoring against Sporting LisbonCredit: AFPGyokeres celebrates by interlocking his fingers over his nose and mouthCredit: AlamyFollowing his goal he then performed the celebration of Gyokeres, 26, by interlocking his fingers in front of his face.Gabriel’s version of it covered his eyes as opposed to his nose and mouth like what Gyokeres’ version does.Sporting, now coached by Joao Pereira following Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United, pulled one back after the break through Goncalo Inacio.However, a penalty from Bukayo Saka and late goal from Leandro Trossard sealed the deal for Mikel Arteta’s side. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt also marked the first time they had scored five goals away from home in the Champions League for 16 years.However, Gyokeres hit back at Gabriel following the celebration.He told Viaplay: “[Gabriel is] Welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own celebration!”I didn’t know he did that, but it’s fun he likes my celebration.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe celebration appears to be inspired by iconic Batman film The Dark Knight Rises villain Bane, who wears a mask in a similar fashion.However, the former Coventry star told a Swedish newspaper: “There were lots of guesses…Inside Viktor Gyokeres’ glamorous life, from dating fellow footballer and actress to luxury holidays around world”There was Hannibal Lecter and Batman and everything possible, but nobody got it right.“No-one came close. Yes, it’s a secret. I can clarify that, but not today.”Gabriel has previously referenced rivals celebrations after a win himself, famously mimicking Ivan Toney’s, “Nice kick about with the boys” tweet in 2022.However, Arsenal icon Freddie Ljungberg slammed Gabriel for the “disrespectful” move.The Invincibles icon told Viaplay: “I’m not a fan of it.”Of course, he must have had a lot of talk about playing against Gyokeres and whether he would be able to do it. “Then his point in showing that he can handle it is quite simple.”But I think it’s a bit disrespectful. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I don’t think it’s necessary. “I think someone else has that target gesture, leave it alone. I don’t like to see it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThere is a chance Gabriel could face off with Gyokeres in the Premier League in the future.SunSport exclusively revealed how both Man Utd and Manchester City are scrapping it out for the Swede in a £65million deal.Arsenal ratings vs SportingDavid Raya – 6Did not have much to do besides a save from Morten Hjulmund. Good distribution and catches from crosses.Jurrien Timber – 8A great low cross into the box for Arsenal’s opener. Very solid at right-back all game.William Saliba – 7Dealt with Viktor Gyokeres well. Did not get drawn into fouling him and held his ground before timing the tackle well.Gabriel – 8Scored his trademark back-post crashing goal from a corner. A great leap and powerful header once again. Riccardo Calafiori – 5Lost his man and ended up on the deck as Goncalo Inacio headed in from a corner. Thomas Partey – 8A sensational ball over the top of the Sporting defence to put Saka through on goal for the second.Declan Rice – 6His first game back from injury. Was perhaps the reason why his display was not as good as usual and was taken off early. Martin Odegaard – 9Pulls the strings for the Gunners and has the ability to pick passes that carve open defences from the edge of the box, particularly combining well with Saka.Such a huge difference between performances with and without him in the team. Absolutely incredible.Bukayo Saka – 8Simply brilliant. A constant threat down the right as always, twisting and turning defenders inside out. His penalty was exceptional and came at a time when Arsenal were a little up against it.Kai Havertz – 8Was in the right place at the right time for the goal. Intelligent runs and movement from him as he often dropped deep to receive the ball. Gabriel Martinelli – 7Was incredibly lively in the opening period, working hard defensively and causing Sporting a problem with his directness. Good movement for the goal.But Martinelli faded and did very little after that. More

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      Arsenal player ratings: Martin Odegaard runs the show but poor defending from Riccardo Calafiori blows clean sheet

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      ARSENAL put in a sublime away performance to beat Sporting 5-1.The Gunners dominated the first 45 minutes and were excellent as the Portuguese powerhouses failed to lay a glove on them.Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring but then fadedCredit: GettyKai Havertz poked home and was good throughoutCredit: GettyMartin Odegaard ran the show and was a class aboveCredit: GettyGabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel were amongst the goals in a brilliant first-half from Mikel Arteta’s side.But Sporting upped it after the break and got a goal back – only for Arsenal to show their class and manage the game well as Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard put the tie to bed.Here is how SunSport rated the Arsenal players’ performances.David Raya – 6READ MORE ON ARSENALDid not have much to do besides a save from Morten Hjulmund. Good distribution and catches from crosses.Jurrien Timber – 8A great low cross into the box for Arsenal’s opener. Very solid at right-back all game.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWilliam Saliba – 7Dealt with Viktor Gyokeres well. Did not get drawn into fouling him and held his ground before timing the tackle well.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundGabriel – 8Scored his trademark back-post crashing goal from a corner. A great leap and powerful header once again. Defended Gyokeres by being physical and on the front foot against him.But the tactic led to giving away a cheap free-kick in a dangerous area that went unpunished. Riccardo Calafiori – 5Sporting attacked a lot down Arsenal’s left in the first-half and Francisco Trincao caused him a few issues.Lost his man and ended up on the deck as Goncalo Inacio headed in from a corner. Thomas Partey – 8A sensational ball over the top of the Sporting defence to put Saka through on goal for the second.Was a real calming influence in possession.Declan Rice – 6His first game back from injury. Was perhaps the reason why his display was not as good as usual and was taken off early. Fantastic delivery for the corner.Martin Odegaard – 9Pulls the strings for the Gunners and has the ability to pick passes that carve open defences from the edge of the box, particularly combining well with Saka.Such a huge difference between performances with and without him in the team. Absolutely incredible.Bukayo Saka – 8Simply brilliant. A constant threat down the right as always, twisting and turning defenders inside out. His penalty was exceptional and came at a time when Arsenal were a little up against it. Whipped into the inside side netting.Kai Havertz – 8Was in the right place at the right time for the goal. Intelligent runs and movement from him as he often dropped deep to receive the ball. Gabriel Martinelli – 7Was incredibly lively in the opening period, working hard defensively and causing Sporting a problem with his directness. Good movement for the goal, going on the blind side of defender Geovany Quenda.But Martinelli faded and did very little after a positive start. Subs:Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli, 70 mins) – 7Scored the fifth goal. Another in the right place as the ball dropped.Mikel Merino (for Rice, 70 minutes) – 7Assured cameo in midfield.Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Calafiori, 78 minutes) – 6Calm on the ball after coming on. Ethan Nwaneri (for Odegaard, 78 minutes) – 6Oozes class and came close to scoring.READ MORE SUN STORIESJakub Kiwior (for Gabriel, 84 minutes) – 5Got done by the pace of Gyokeres in the latter stages. More

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      Sporting 1 Arsenal 5: Gunners run riot in Champions League and become first to beat Portuguese club in 90 mins this term

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      RAMPANT Arsenal handed Sporting Lisbon a Champions League humbling – and even taunted their star striker Viktor Gyokeres by nicking his celebration.The Gunners produced one of their best European away-day displays in recent memory with three goals inside 45 minutes out in Lisbon via Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel.Arsenal ran riot with a convincing win over SportingCredit: GettyBukayo Saka grabbed yet another goal and an assistCredit: RexWith Sporting on their knees, Brazilian defender Gabriel scored the third with a header on the brink of half-time before pulling out Gyokeres’ trademark ‘mask’ routine. The audacity.It is a sign of the confidence and the swagger running back through this Arsenal team, back at full-strength with injuries behind them, producing a performance that should make their rivals in this competition take note.Even when Sporting rallied with Goncalo Inacio’s 47th-minute header, Mikel Arteta’s men were ruthless in their response through Bukayo Saka’s 65th-minute penalty and Leandro Trossard’s late addition.Gyokeres – a man who has been scouted by the North Londoners on numerous occasions – came into this contest as one of the continent’s most feared goal-getters – 24 in 17 so far this term for Sporting.Three of them came in a 4-1 battering of Manchester City under manager Ruben Amorim – now at Manchester United – at the Estadio Jose Alvalade earlier this month.But the 26-year-old comes away from this one with more questions than answers by his name. Up against centre-back duo William Saliba and Gabriel, it really was men against boys at times.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Sporting fans showed off their impressive singing voices well into the opening minute of the match with their translated rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’.But those dulcet tones soon turned to jeers as Arsenal did things their way, piling on some early pressure and getting under the skins of the Sporting players.Arsenal player ratings vs SportingAfter a needless altercation that floored Havertz before a throw-in, Ousmane Diomande picked up a fourth-minute yellow card.And three minutes later, from another throw-in, the opener.It was a brilliantly intricate move, one that involved Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber – the latter squaring it for Martinelli and the easiest of tap-ins.Arteta punched the air. The perfect start he craved from his team, one that had previously gone four European away days without finding the net.Sporting mounted a response, but big Swede Gyokeres was being marked superbly by the meat and two veg pairing of Saliba and Gabriel.He may be one of the most prolific marksmen on the continent right now, but in testing himself against a world-class defensive duo, Gyokeres was coming up severely short.Out-thought, out-muscled, dominated.He spent most of the first half skulking around like a stroppy youngster who had just had his ball nicked off him by the bigger boys.His mood worsened thanks to some more elegant Arsenal intricacy.Partey lofted a chipped pass over the Sporting back line for Saka to latch on to, poking through the legs of goalkeeper Franco Israel.Another empty-net finish, this time for Havertz, leaving Sporting stunned. A team who had won 17 of their opening 19 games in all competitions this term were being ripped to shreds.The Sporting fans then decided to use up the leftovers from Bonfire Night from the stands to give everyone within a five-mile radius the shock of a lifetime.It did little to wake up their beloved Sporting, however. A banner also emerged that read: “The Lion’s heart.” This performance had very little of that. The visitors were the ones roaring.And the hosts had little to no answers for the onslaught Arsenal were consistently conjuring.Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners the perfect startCredit: GettyThe Brazilian was all smiles as he did his cheeky celebrationCredit: APKai Havertz also tapped in early onCredit: ReutersGabriel powered home a header from a cornerCredit: GettyHeading into the break, Arteta would have wanted another goal to show for their complete and utter control. He soon got it.Rice took his time in whipping in the corner, to the disgust of the whistling home end, but when he did, it was only ever destined for the head of Gabriel.When done right, that sort of routine is unstoppable, but Sporting’s marking was non-existent.Inside 45 minutes, Arsenal had doubled their Champions League campaign tally – while Gyokeres’ chances of adding to his five already in this competition looked bleak.After Gabriel cheekily used the Swedish international’s linked-finger celebration and the half-time whistle went, Gyokeres angrily launched the ball from his own half into an empty net.Less than two minutes into the second half, Sporting scored for real.David Raya was forced into his first meaningful save from a Hidemasa Morita strike, yet he was helpless to stop Inacio from flicking on from the resulting corner.Sporting fans cranked up the volume, only to watch Arsenal turn it back on with Diomande cutting down Odegaard in the box, getting Saka on the scoresheet from 12 yards.READ MORE SUN STORIESTwo subs combined for the fifth – Mikel Merino’s punt parried on to the head of Trossard.Five games and three wins down in this new format. Arsenal are rediscovering their form at just the right time.Saka fired in from the penalty spotCredit: ReutersLeandro Trossard made no mistake with his simple headerCredit: ReutersMartin Odegaard was at his purring best for Mikel Arteta’s sideCredit: GettyViktor Gyokeres was not given a sniff by the Arsenal defendersCredit: GettySaka collected the player of the match awardCredit: GettySporting fans set off fireworks during the first halfCredit: GettySupporters also set off flares and smoke bombsCredit: EPAArsenal ratings vs SportingDavid Raya – 6Did not have much to do besides a save from Morten Hjulmund. Good distribution and catches from crosses.Jurrien Timber – 8A great low cross into the box for Arsenal’s opener. Very solid at right-back all game.William Saliba – 7Dealt with Viktor Gyokeres well. Did not get drawn into fouling him and held his ground before timing the tackle well.Gabriel – 8Scored his trademark back-post crashing goal from a corner. A great leap and powerful header once again. Riccardo Calafiori – 5Lost his man and ended up on the deck as Goncalo Inacio headed in from a corner. Thomas Partey – 8A sensational ball over the top of the Sporting defence to put Saka through on goal for the second.Declan Rice – 6His first game back from injury. Was perhaps the reason why his display was not as good as usual and was taken off early. Martin Odegaard – 9Pulls the strings for the Gunners and has the ability to pick passes that carve open defences from the edge of the box, particularly combining well with Saka.Such a huge difference between performances with and without him in the team. Absolutely incredible.Bukayo Saka – 8Simply brilliant. A constant threat down the right as always, twisting and turning defenders inside out. His penalty was exceptional and came at a time when Arsenal were a little up against it.Kai Havertz – 8Was in the right place at the right time for the goal. Intelligent runs and movement from him as he often dropped deep to receive the ball. Gabriel Martinelli – 7Was incredibly lively in the opening period, working hard defensively and causing Sporting a problem with his directness. Good movement for the goal.But Martinelli faded and did very little after that. More

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      Fireworks explode over Arsenal keeper David Raya’s head during Sporting clash in shocking safety breach

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      FIREWORKS exploded right above David Raya in shocking scenes during Arsenal’s Champions League clash at Sporting.The Gunners rocketeded into an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.Sporting fans set off fireworks over David Raya’s headCredit: ReutersUltras also lit green and white smoke bombsCredit: GettyFlares lit up the home end at the Estadio Jose AlvaladeCredit: APThe pyrotechnics went off after Arsenal went 2-0 upCredit: RexDavid Raya had not been threatened by Viktor Gyokeres or any of the Sporting players.But on 25 minutes, various fireworks, flares and smoke bombs were set off over the Arsenal penalty area.The pyrotechnics were not shown by the TNT Sport cameras but commentator Darren Fletcher referenced them.And he was surprised the referee did not stop play and take the two teams off the field.READ MORE ON ARSENALVideos quickly circulated on social media of the fireworks.The clips showed the explosives being launched from the stand behind Raya and flashing into bursts of light.Another revealed the magnitude of the green and white smoke wafting across the pitch. Within minutes, clouds covered the pitch in Lisbon.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne supporter said: “Fireworks and flares set off aimed at Raya and the back four. That’s gotta be a ban surely.”However, jubilant Arsenal fans inside the ground chanted: “We want more fireworks,” as they watched their side put on a spectacular performance. SunSport has contacted Uefa for comment but it is likely the Portuguese club could land in hot water with the authorities over the safety breach.Martinelli turned home with just seven minutes on the clock.And Havertz doubled the visitors’ lead on 22 minutes, tapping in after fine work from Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka.Then Gabriel made it 3-0 with the final touch of the first half, thumping in yet another header from a dangerous inswinging Declan Rice corner. However, Sporting pulled one back immediately after the break through Goncalo Inacio. Saka, though, restored Arsenal’s three-goal lead from the penalty spot on 65 minutes before sub Leandro Trossard completed the 5-1 rout with an easy rebound header.The referee decided not to stop play despite the safety concernsCredit: AFPThe Portuguese club could be in trouble with UefaCredit: EPATrails of smoke poured down on the Arsenal penalty areaCredit: RexThe cloud hovered over the pitchCredit: TNT Sports More

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      Man Utd and Man City ready for £65m Viktor Gyokeres transfer scrap as BOTH sides think they have secret weapon

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      RUBEN AMORIM will scrap with old pal Hugo Viana for Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres next year.The striker, 26, became hot property under gaffer Amorim at Sporting and his release clause could see him move for £65million.Viktor Gyokeres has been sensational since joining Sporting LisbonCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim is interested in bringing the striker to Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyManchester United are sure Amorim’s arrival as their boss will secure his signature.But they face a battle with Manchester City and Viana, who will take over as their director of football after he leaves Sporting next summer.Viana oversaw the Sweden star’s bargain signing from Coventry last year.And it proved to be a masterstroke as Gyokeres has since flourished into Europe’s most in-demand striker, with 58 goals for club and country in 2024.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmorim refused to fuel the speculation at his first United press conference on Friday.But he did admit he hopes Gyokeres stays injury-free and keeps scoring.The new Red Devils boss said: “Viktor Gyokeres is a Sporting player.”He has a game tonight [Friday] and I hope he plays well, doesn’t get injured and continues to be successful at Sporting.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPep Guardiola will be hoping to bring Gyokeres to Manchester CityCredit: ReutersPortuguese Viana, 41, played a key role in Amorim becoming Sporting boss in 2020.But will want to pip him to the post for Gyokeres at City.SunSport’s Man Utd reporter Neil Custis gives verdict on Ruben Amorim’s first press conference and says ‘he has something different’The release clause rules out a bidding war but sets the scene for an intriguing tug-of-war instead.Man Utd have struggled to score goals so far this season, netting just 12 in 11 Premier League games.Meanwhile, neighbours Man City suffered a fifth successive defeat in all competitions on Saturday as Tottenham thrashed them 4-0 at the Etihad.Erling Haaland has scored 12 goals in all competitions, but the team’s next highest scorers are Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic on three.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Ruben Amorim had star shipped off to Bulgaria on loan after he rubbed him up the wrong way – Man Utd flops must beware

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      IF Manchester United players cross Ruben Amorim, they risk the same fate as Gaius Makouta.Who’s Gaius Makouta? Exactly…Ex-Braga comms chief Goncalo Ferreira says Ruben Amorim can be brutalAmorim dropped Gaius Makouta after the midfielder complained about training with the B teamTo be fair to the Congolese midfielder, he has gone on to have a decent enough career with Boavista and now Alanyaspor in Turkey.But only after Amorim gave him a short, sharp shock.Makouta paid the penalty for rubbing Amorim up the wrong way when the new Manchester United boss started work as manager of Braga’s B team in September 2019.Goncalo Ferreira was the communications chief at Braga who witnessed Amorim’s incredible rise.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut when Ferreira turned up to watch the new B team boss’ first game, he expressed concern to club president Antonio Salvador.Ferreira said: “Makouta was one of the best players, but when I arrived at the stadium and saw the team warming up, Makouta wasn’t on the pitch.“I said, ‘What happened?’, and the president said, ‘Let’s see’. Braga won 5-0.“It turned out in the first training sessions, Makouta wasn’t satisfied as he wanted to be in the first team.Most read in FootballGoncalo Ferreira has exclusively recounted a tale about the fallen Gaius MakoutaFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“So he wasn’t the best at training — he had quality but wasn’t giving  everything.“I realised that players who aren’t 100 per cent with the team, in solidarity, won’t play for Ruben. He doesn’t care about their status.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training session“Makouta ended up going out on loan to a club in Bulgaria.”Amorim won seven of his first eight games in charge of the Braga B team.Which was enough to convince Salvador to part company with first-team head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto and install Amorim instead.The first top-flight match of his managerial career was at Belenenses, where he had been a player and a team that was battling near the bottom of the table — like United’s opponents on Sunday, Ipswich.Amorim immediately put his stamp on Braga by making six changes and switching to three at the back.United are reportedly prepared to let Brazilian winger Antony leave on loan during the January transfer windowAmorim began working with United stars this weekFerreira said: “It took courage to put some of the players that he dropped on the bench.“There was a big, immediate difference in the team’s energy. We felt like they wanted to kill the opposition.“Braga won 7-1. That kind of result is not normal in the Portuguese league.“He won’t put the players on the bench, he will put them in the stands. You will see from the first game the guys he feels aren’t humble or with the team.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.Ferreira believes Amorim’s selection for the Ipswich game will show whether he has found any Gaius Makouta’s in the United ranks.He won’t put them on the bench, he will put them in the stands. You will see from the first game the guys he feels aren’t humble or with the team.Ferreira “I’ve read some things about the training sessions at United and how many players weren’t giving their best. Maybe they didn’t like the former coach.“Ruben was a player, so he can feel who is with the team and who is not.”Those who find favour with Amorim can expect success.After the rout of Belenenses, Braga beat Porto in the league and then the League Cup final.The next big scalp was Sporting Lisbon before Braga won a league game at Benfica for the first time since 1954.Amorim had been in charge of Braga for just 13 games when Sporting agreed to trigger his £8.4million release clause to make him their new boss.Ferreira, now boss of agency Global Take Over, said: “I was very sad, like every Braga director, player, staff member and fan.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It was the best six months of Braga in terms of energy and growth. There is a before and after Ruben in Braga.”And, you suspect, a before and after Amorim in the career of Gaius Makouta.’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.” More

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      I’ve covered Man Utd for 25 years and feel sorry for Amorim, if he gets a tune out of this lot he’s football’s Beethoven

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      IT was wonderful to see the adulation and warmth towards Ruben Amorim as he bid farewell in his final home game as Sporting Lisbon manager.And yet despite that stunning 4-1 win over Manchester City, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to doAmorim did an amazing job with Sporting LisbonAmorim took over at Man Utd after leaving SportingAmorim replaced Erik ten Hag who couldn’t improve Man UtdAmorim is facing a major challenge with his new Man Utd teamAt Sporting he has achieved incredible success with two Portuguese Primeira Liga crowns — the first of which ended a 19-year title drought.Understandably he is adored by the fans, even when they knew he was leaving and there is a clear bond between him and the players. He looked a man genuinely content and happy with his life in Lisbon.“Don’t do it Ruben, stay where you are” . . . but it was too late.Amorim had already opted to throw himself into the managerial meat grinder known as the modern-day Manchester United.Read More on Man UtdHe only has to look at the disgraceful treatment of his immediate predecessor to know what he is going into.There was something very unsavoury about the way Amorim was being welcomed to United with all those club social media postings.It was as if he had arrived as a great liberator to take the club into the light after a dark time.Erik ten Hag was a good man. One of the best I have met in my 25 years covering the Red Devils.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe did everything he could to drag that club back up, winning two trophies and getting to another final along the way in his two full seasons.Yet it was clear the new broom being swept through Old Trafford by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was going to take the Dutchman along with it.Ruben Amorim arrives in Manchester ahead of starting role as Man United managerEven after that so-called show of faith in him over the summer, after everyone else they tried to get to do the job ran a mile.He was always staring at the exit door at a time when 250 staff have brutally been made redundant, against a back drop of cuts that is gradually ripping away a bit more of the soul of this great club.No matter how good he is the squad is poor, for which Ten Hag has to take a major part of the responsibility. Although he never wanted Joshua Zirkzee, an Ineos signing, and we can see why. If Amorim can get a tune out of this lot, then he will be the Ludwig van Beethoven of football.All the while he will have to cope with everything that comes with being United boss.A club that stopped being able to match expectations the moment Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.Amorim is the sixth permanent boss since then. They all arrive with a smile and believe they can be “the one”.They all leave with their reputations in the dustbin and their lives changed.Ten Hag is still coming to terms with what happened. I’m not sure if David Moyes ever will.Even baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked his age by the end.Sometimes, if you find contentment in your life — and a job you love with people around you who love you — that’s when you have really reached the pinnacle.Amorim had that. And in two years’ time my bet is he wishes he never turned his back on it.Littler’s a star I CAN relate toIT’S often difficult to relate to the incredible feats of sportsmen and women.That is what fascinates us the most: How on earth do they do that?Then you learn of the sacrifices they make for years and years for that one moment in time.How they even struggle to let themselves go after all the hard work when they retire. Then you hear about Luke Littler.He has just become darts’ youngest millionaire at 17 and whose mid-match routine was revealed by Martin Lukeman, whom he thumped 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.“He had a curry, a Boost [chocolate bar], a meal deal and them little sweets, half pink and half white . . . Squashies. Then he walks up there and just smashes me like that.” Marvellous.Jimmy is living the dry lifeTHE MODERN snooker player is a world away from those icons we used to enjoy watching in the 80s and early 90s.Gym, water, diet, sleep. The best, Ronnie O’Sullivan, is a great example of this with his running.Which reminded me of how Jimmy White used to enjoy his downtime.At his height White once went to the Gresham Hotel in Dublin for a weekend and returned six weeks later.He had 24 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne sent to his room daily and was reportedly joined by “nightclub girls, UB40 and Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy” for what was described as “the mother of all benders”.When Alex Higgins rocked up to join in, it’s fair to say things went up a notch.Yet in the weekend just gone, the now clean-living “Whirlwind”, aged 62, beat an opponent 42 years his junior in the qualifiers for the UK Champs — over four decades after reaching the semis on his debut.Sober, fit and healthy White is still competing. He may never have been a world champion, but he remains a champion of the sport.Europe crown not for Nick-ingHATS off, or rather caps and visors, to Rory McIlroy.His brilliant finish to claim the DP World Tour Championship meant he blitzed the field in the Race to Dubai for a sixth time.That equalled Seve Ballesteros’ achievement and leaves him two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.McIlroy has his sights set on becoming the best European golfer of all time, although some already consider him to be.His four Majors to Ballesteros’ five and Nick Faldo’s six suggest that’s not the case. But for me, the moment that sets Faldo apart came in the 1995 Ryder Cup.It was all down to his match as the Sunday singles came to a close and he stood one down with three to play against Curtis Strange.READ MORE SUN STORIESLevel going down 18, his presence of mind to chip out the rough and leave himself the perfect wedge to get up and down to claim par and win as Strange melted is the greatest moment in Ryder Cup history.Watch it and marvel at the man’s powers to block out all the noise and pressure to get the job done.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Man Utd send scout to watch Viktor Gyokeres score for Sweden as Ruben Amorim hopes to land top transfer target

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      MANCHESTER UNITED had eyes on Viktor Gyokeres on Saturday as Ruben Amorim’s top target scored his fifth goal of the Nations League campaign.The Sporting Lisbon striker put on another impressive display as he found the back of the net for Sweden in their 2-1 win over Slovakia.Viktor Gyokeres scored in front of a Man Utd scout for SwedenCredit: RexRuben Amorim appears keen on bringing him with him from SportingCredit: GettyUnited sent Sergio Souza — one of their top Scandinavian talent spotters — to Stockholm for the clash and he barely had time to take his seat before Gyokeres struck in the third minute.The former Coventry City star raced onto an Alexander Isak through ball before shooting across Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka into the bottom corner.Souza revealed his presence at the game in an Instagram video post during the national anthems, although he was no doubt busily scribbling notes by the time Gyokeres had set the stadium alight with his latest strike.The 26-year-old is on pace to outperform his incredible 43-goal debut season in Portuguese football, having hitting the back of the net 23 times for Sporting this term.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHis 16 Primeira Liga goals are double the amount of any other player in the league and he has also netted five Champions League efforts in four games so far.Some of Europe’s biggest clubs are stepping up their interest with Paris Saint-Germain chief Luis Campos having reportedly already reached out to the his representatives.Bayern Munich have also been tipped to enter the bidding if they look to move Harry Kane on in the summer.But United potentially hold an ace up their sleeve with Amorim in place at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhen asked about a potential move to Man Utd, Gyokeres said: “He probably has some strikers there already, so we’ll see. No, he hasn’t [asked me to join him].“It’s fun but nothing I attach any importance to because it’s talk and nothing concrete.”Dimitar Berbatov tips Viktor Gyokeres to follow Ruben Amorim to Man Utd Gyokeres added: “I want to finish this season at Sporting. I love it here. “We will see [about a new club] when the time comes. I want to play, that’s crucial, and there will be also other factors.”United are currently struggling for goals with their two centre forward options, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, having managed to score just three goals between them all season.On signing players from his old club, Amorim said: “In January I’m not going to get anyone from Sporting.”Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Man Utd ‘ready to make £33m transfer offer for Sporting wonderkid Geovany Quenda, 17, who terrorised Man City’

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      GEOVANY QUENDA could be in line to follow Ruben Amorim to Manchester United according to reports. The Sporting Lisbon teenager was one of the stars who impressed when the Portuguese side beat Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League in Amorim’s final home game in charge.Geovany Quenda is being eyed for a summer move by Man UtdCredit: APRuben Amorim brought Quenda with the Sporting Lisbon senior pre-season squad before the teen became integralCredit: APWhile it was former Coventry ace Viktor Gyokeres receiving the plaudits for his hat-trick in that game, 17-year-old Quenda was the star who got Gyokeres’ tally up and running thanks to a beautiful pass cutting through the lines.Man Utd had already been tracking the left-footed winger, who played at right wing-back against City, before they moved for Amorim.And according to A Bola, the Red Devils are preparing to make a transfer offer for him next summer.The report suggests their first offer will be in the region of £33million.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Guinea-Bissau-born Portugal youth international has a full release clause of £84m after renewing his contract to 2027 in September – with his old contract containing a clause of £38m.Amorim promised he would not take players from his former side in January, but did not rule out some moves in the summer.He said: “In the January market I will not [get players from Sporting], that’s what I said.”In the summer I don’t know anymore. First point: to hold out until the summer. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Sporting’s players are very good players. I don’t know. We’ll see.”Quenda’s case saw Amorim take him with the Lions’ senior team in pre-season before integrating him into the first team and becoming integral to them before the 39-year-old manager left.Man Utd fans claim Ruben Amorim could be ‘new Jurgen Klopp’ after heartwarming gesture on stadium tourAmorim’s first game in charge at Man Utd will be against Ipswich this Sunday.He has been boosted by the return of Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia in training, while the former could even make his club debut following his pre-season injury.Despite sitting in 13th place in the league, the club are miraculously just four points behind the top four.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More