Dimitar Berbatov confidently picks Ruben Amorim's first Man Utd transfer

Manchester United should push ahead with the signing of Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, who can solve their biggest issue this season.

That’s the opinion of former United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who is embarrassed by how far his old club has fallen. United sit 13th in the Premier League, with 12 points from 10 games, having scored just nine times so far – a tally which every side in the division, bar Crystal Palace and Southampton, can better.

Those woes cost Erik ten Hag his job and United moved fast to hire Ruben Amorim as his replacement. The 39-year-old Sporting coach is set to join United next Monday and is already considering his priorities upon arrival.

Gyokeres has scored 21 goals in 17 games so far this season for Sporting and appears to be an upgrade on United pair Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Berbatov has been keeping a close eye on the Sweden international and has urged United to give Amorim the funds to bring him to Old Trafford.

“This guy, Viktor Gyokeres, he’s scoring goals for fun right now,” Berbatov said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “So I think there’s a special connection with the coach, so maybe we are probably going to see him in a United shirt at some point.”

Asked if he’d be happy with that, Berbatov added: “From what he’s showing right now, I think yes, because our strikers at the moment are not doing and producing goals like we see with them 18th in the league for scoring goals, which is embarrassing for a club of the stature of United. This is a position that I’d like to see improvement.”

There are two problems for United, the first of which Amorim has already addressed. “I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January,” he said last week. “Gyokeres costs €100million and it’s very difficult.”

That £84m release clause warded off interest in the summer transfer window for the former Coventry striker, who has already addressed the rumours that he might follow his manager to Old Trafford. He said: “Going with Amorim to Man United? I don’t know, I’m here. I really like being here, it’s not something I think about. I’m enjoying it here. I’m sad about him leaving. We wish him all the best”.

The other potential problem for United is the competition from other clubs for one of the hottest strikers in Europe. Fresh reports from Portugal state that Barcelona are eyeing a move for Gyokeres in 2025 and have a strong offer.

Barca sporting director Deco believes that an offer of €40m plus Vitor Roque can land Gyokeres, who can be Robert Lewandowski’s long-term successor. Sporting made an offer for Roque in the summer before he went on loan to Real Betis and his €60m transfer fee from Athletico Paranaense to Barca could make up Gyokeres’ asking price.