Over the past two seasons, the 26-year-old forward has emerged as one of Europe’s most desirable attacking talents. His standout display in Sporting’s 5-1 victory over Estrela only fueled speculation further.
The match at Sporting’s Jose Alvalade Stadium was emotionally charged, as it took place mere hours after United confirmed Amorim’s appointment as their new manager…Continue Reading
Gyokeres, who has also been linked to Arsenal and Chelsea, delivered an incredible first-half hat-trick and went on to add a fourth goal with 20 minutes left, deepening Estrela’s troubles.
After his impressive brace in Sporting’s previous win against Nacional, United fans became enamored with the idea of Gyokeres joining his manager at Old Trafford.
Among Gyokeres’ many fans is former United defender Rio Ferdinand, who urged United to go all out for the striker, even if it could impact Rasmus Hojlund’s position at the club.
‘Going with Amorim to Manchester United? I don’t know,’ Gyokeres replied when asked about the possibility of joining Amorim after his man-of-the-match display against Estrela.
‘I’m here. As you can see, I enjoy it at Sporting.
‘It’s nothing I really think about. I’m sad about him [Amorim] leaving. We wish him all the best.’
Recent reports indicated Gyokeres could be free to leave Sporting for a fee around £50-58million ahead in the January transfer window.
Facing the media after Sporting’s defeat of Estrela, Amorim revealed that Man United rejected his request to wait until next summer to take charge at Old Trafford.
‘The only thing I asked of Manchester United was to leave at the end of the season. I spent three days asking, it was what I wanted,’ Amorim told reporters at his post-match press conference.
‘They said it wasn’t possible, I was told it was either now or never, so I had to make a decision. If I didn’t accept, they would look for another option. So I had three days to make my mind up about a decision that changes my life radically. That’s what I did.
‘I’ve had other opportunities, the president can confirm this, this is not the first or second time that I have been requested by another team and I don’t want another team. After Sporting I wanted that one: Manchester United.’
Amorim went on: ‘There is no Sporting supporter who wanted me to stay until the end of the season more than I did. But it wasn’t possible.
‘Some people say it’s for money. It’s not. ‘Other clubs were prepared to pay three times more and I refused. This is the club [United] that I wanted.’
Amorim confirmed he will be joined at the Theatre of Dreams by his own team, adding: ‘I’m going to take my coaching staff with me. We’ve been together since Casa Pia. It was one of the conditions.’
He continued: ‘At start of the season I talked to the Sporting president and said that whatever happened it would be my last season at Sporting.
‘The season started very well, then Manchester United appeared and paid the clause. I never argued with the president.’
