Possible Sporting transfer targets for Ruben Amorim at Man Utd

Following Erik ten Hag's dismissal, Manchester United have turned to Ruben Anorim to revive the club's fortunes.

A two-time Primeira Liga winner as manager of Sporting, we explore which players the former Benfica midfielder may look to bring with him from Lisbon to Old Trafford.

Victor Gyokeres

Position: Striker

Should Man Utd's INEOS hierarchy wish to back their new man Amorim with a statement signing in the January transfer window, then the poster boy of his Sporting side in Viktor Gyokeres would certainly fit the bill.

Acquired from English Championship side Coventry City in the summer of 2023 for a £20m fee, the Sweden international has proven a revelation in Portugal - firing 43 goals in all competitions in his maiden season in 2023/24.

A complete striker with an all-round skillset, Amorim may be keen to bring the rapidly improving talent to Old Trafford to provide the Red Devils with a menacing focal point up front.

Despite the undoubted allure of Gyokeres, it appears more likely that Amorim prioritises the development of Rasmus Hojlund as United's main man in attack, with the £72m Dane boasting comparable physical attributes to the Sporting sensation.

Ousmane Diomande

Position: Central defender

In Ousmane Diomande, United would be acquiring one of the most promising young central defenders in Europe should Amorim elect to sanction a deal for the Ivorian.

Still only 20 years old, Diomande was a key player in defence as Sporting won a second Primeira Liga title under the guidance of Amorim last term.

At 6ft 3ins, Ivory Coast international Diomande is an imposing presence, but crucially the reported Arsenal transfer target is also very quick on the ground and adept in possession.

Should Amorim wish to implement a similar back three system at Man Utd as at Sporting, the signing of Diomande as a defender capable of operating both in the centre of the defence and on the right side could be invaluable.

With the attributes of Lisandro Martinez as a left-sided centre-back likely to appeal to Amorim, it could make more sense for the Portuguese manager to sign Diomande as opposed to his equally coveted defensive partner Goncalo Inacio, who himself is left-footed.

Geovany Quenda

Position: Winger/wing-back

With the preferred recruitment model of INEOS at Manchester United reportedly geared towards acquiring and rearing elite young talent, incoming manager Amorim could look to bring one of Sporting's most promising stars with him to the Red Devils.

Pacey wide player Geovany Quenda has been one of the breakout stars of this Primeira Liga campaign, featuring in all nine of Sporting's league victories to date.

Naturally an attack-minded winger, Quenda has been deployed as a right wing-back in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 set up so far this term, providing Sporting width and blistering pace down the flank.

So impressive have Quenda's performances been so far this season that in August he received his first senior international call-up by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez ahead of UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Scotland.

Amorim will be eager to quickly shape the Man Utd squad in his own image in Old Trafford, and bringing in young, malleable players such as Quenda may be a shrewd way of doing just this.

Morten Hjulmand

Position: Central midfielder

One position Man Utd continue to lack depth in is the middle of the park, with the ageing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen unlikely to be integral parts of Amorim's thinking moving forward.

The ex-Portugal international midfielder has employed a double pivot in central midfield in his typical 3-4-2-1 structure at Sporting, with these positions most commonly taken up by Morten Hjulmand and Daniel Braganca so far this season.

At Old Trafford, the combination of new signing Manuel Ugarte, who was previously coached by Amorim at Sporting, and the terrific Kobbie Mainoo, could be viewed as an exciting midfield base to work with.

In Denmark international Hjulmand, Amorim may feel there is a player capable of taking his game to the next level and adding to the level of competition in United's engine room.

The scorer of a long range thunderbolt against England in the group stages of Euro 2024, 25-year-old Hjulmand is naturally a defensive-minded midfielder who is brilliant at reading the game and making crucial interceptions.

Ironically signed by Amorim as a replacement for Ugarte following the Uruguayan's transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023, the two midfielders could soon find themselves competing for the same place in Man Utd's starting XI.