Sporting Lisbon

INCOMING Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has dropped a huge hint that he might carry out a summer transfer raid on Sporting Lisbon.Amorim is set to begin work as United boss tomorrow, calling time on his four-and-a-half-year spell with Portuguese giants Sporting.Ruben Amorim has hinted that he could raid Sporting Lisbon for signings in the summerCredit: PAThe 39-year-old has enjoyed success with Sporting since taking over in 2020, winning two league titles and two Portuguese League Cups.And he’s done so with an incredible squad that has helped him gain an advantage over the opposition, alongside his tactical skillset.But it looks as though Amorim could be ready to rip that squad apart and cherry pick the best part to lure to the Theatre of Dreams.Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of his final game in charge of Sporting tonight, Amorim hinted that he could try and sign some of the current crop at the José Alvalade Stadium.READ MORE ON MAN UTDRuling out a short-term raid, he said: “In January I’m not going to get anyone from Sporting. That’s what I said.”He then opened the door for potential business in the summer.He added: “In the summer I don’t know what I’m going to do. The main point is to hold on until the summer. “Second point, you can see that Sporting players are great players. Let’s see what will happen.”Most read in FootballAmorim could be keen on bringing star striker Viktor Gyokeres to Man UtdCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSporting is stacked with top talent that could be of use to a struggling Man Utd side.The Red Devils are crying out for a goalscorer and will certainly have a keen eye on Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.Watch Ruben Amorim celebrate with guard of honour as Sporting Lisbon boss narrowly avoids nasty bumps accidentThe former Brighton and Coventry striker has scored an unfathomable 66 goals in 67 appearances since his arrival in Portugal.While he has already found the back of the net 23 times in 17 games this term – including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.Other players who have been tipped to make the switch include ball-playing centre-back Goncalo Inacio and holding midfielder Morten Hjulmand.Amorim will already be reuniting with one of his former players at Old Trafford.Summer arrival Manuel Ugarte played under Amorim 85 times and was a huge part of Sporting’s team during his spell with the club.Amorim will be reunited with Manuel UgarteCredit: AlamyThree 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

VIKTOR GYOKERES’ Champions League heroics have not gone unnoticed by Manchester United’s youth team.The Sporting Lisbon striker netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over the Red Devils’ crosstown rivals Man City on Tuesday. Viktor Gyokeres performs a mask celebration after every goalCredit: GettyUnited wonderkid Ethan Wheatley paid tribute to the Sporting striker on WednesdayCredit: GettyWheatley did Gyokores’ celebration after netting in the Uefa Youth LeagueCredit: XGyokeres has taken European football by storm over the past few months with regular displays of ruthless finishing.The ex-Coventry forward creates a mask over his face after each goal in a much-publicised “secret” celebration. Man Utd’s youngsters took on FK Zalgiris on Wednesday in the Uefa Youth League. And rising star Ethan Wheatley whipped out Gyokeres’ cele as the Red Devils under-19s romped to a 6-0 win. READ MORE ON MAN UTDThere were six different goalscorers on the day, with Wheatley crashing in the third goal just before half-time.The 18-year-old from Stockport immediately put his hands across his face in tribute to Gyokeres.Wheatley is regarded as one of United’s most promising up-and-coming young stars.He was recently named Academy Player of the Year and has been a prolific scorer at all youth levels. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWheatley’s nod to Gyokeres comes after the Lisbon star was linked with a move to Old Trafford.Sporting boss Ruben Amorim starts his new role as United manager on November 11 after agreeing a multi-year deal. Who is Sporting’s masked man Viktor Gyokeres Reports suggest Amorim will try to lure his star man to Manchester.Gyokeres joined Sporting for £16.5m from Coventry City in the summer of 2023.He has since netted a remarkable 52 goals in 48 games.We reported yesterday how a gentleman’s agreement could see him join Manchester United for a bargain fee.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.On how he celebrates his goals, Gyokeres was recently coy on the origins of his signature celebration, which some believe is a reference to Batman villain Bane.He told a Swedish newspaper: “There were lots of guesses [on what it means].READ MORE SUN STORIES”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.” More