Jaap Stam has said that he is not convinced that Ruben Amorim should bring one Manchester United-linked player to Old Trafford after his arrival from Sporting CP.
Erik ten Hag was sacked as Manchester United manager in late October and the Red Devils wasted no time making a move for former Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was installed as United interim manager after Erik ten Hag was dismissed and the Red Devils began the process of landing Amorim.
United activated the £9.25m release clause in Sporting’s contract for Amorim and the 39-year-old Portuguese manager signed a deal until June 2027.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager to Ten Hag, led the Red Devils during a four-match interim spell amid Amorim seeing out his duties at Sporting.
Amorim finally arrived at Old Trafford at the start of the November international break and United legend Van Nistelrooy subsequently left the Red Devils.
Stam unconvinced by Man Utd target
Ruben Amorim was widely credited for his work at Sporting CP and the Manchester United boss has wasted no time implementing his formation style at the Red Devils.
United are expected to crack open their war chest and release funds for Amorim to overhaul the first-team squad to fit in line with his vision.
Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford has already seen him linked with players at former side Sporting, including star striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Sporting signed Viktor Gyokeres from Coventry City in 2023 and the 26-year-old Swedish striker has been in red-hot form for the Portuguese club.
The Sweden international has impressed in the current campaign and Gyokeres has already scored 27 times in 25 appearances for Sporting.
United legend Jaap Stam is unsure if Gyokeres is “one of the best” players in the world and raised concerns over whether he would suit the Premier League.
“Manchester United should be looking to sign the best players in the world, but I don’t know if Viktor Gyokeres is one of the best,” he told Sports Lens.
“He’s done incredibly well in Portugal under Ruben Amorim but that league is nothing when compared to the Premier League.”
Stam urges Amorim to back Man Utd star
Viktor Gyokeres, who netted an impressive 43 times in 50 appearances for Sporting last season, has been tipped for a reunion with Amorim at United.
However, the former Coventry City player has an £83.16m release clause and Sporting could be willing to sell Gyokeres in the summer.
It is believed that the defending Primeira Liga champions would allow Gyokeres to leave the club for a transfer fee in the region of £62.37 to £70.68m.
Stam insisted that Amorim should stick with Rasmus Hojlund and has backed the Denmark striker to become one of United’s “most important [players] going forward.”
“It’s the same with Rasmus Hojlund coming from Italy and finding things much tougher, it would take time for him to adapt and I still think Hojlund is the player to make progress in that position for Manchester United,” he continued.
“You need options but Hojlund needs time in that role to progress and I think he will be their most important player going forward. So, bringing in Gyokeres wouldn’t be the priority for me.”
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