Two years ago Viktor Gyokeres was featuring for Coventry City in the Championship. Now he is starring in the Champions League with Sporting.
Viktor Gyokeres is putting up the kind of numbers which makes him impossible for teams to ignore.
And with his head coach Ruben Amorim deciding to join Manchester United, speculation over his own future is going into overdrive.
Gyokeres entered the game against Manchester City on November 5, with a staggering 63 goals in 66 games for Sporting, and 20 in 16 this season alone.
He has added to this tally with a strike against City in their Champions League clash, showing an ability to score against the very best, netting a hat-trick. That’s now 66 goals in 67 games and 23 in 17 this season.
How Viktor Gyokeres fared
Manchester United fans had a close eye on the game, paying attention to the fortunes of incoming head coach Ruben Amorim, who begins his role on November 11.
Gyokeres was one of the players United fans were intrigued by, and not just with the potential of the club splashing out on him in the future.
There is interest in terms of how Amorim’s side supply their striker with chances, and the confidence he has, which United fans hope will rub off on Rasmus Hojlund.
Gyokeres’ night did not begin well. He missed a one v one where he tried to chip Ederson and under-hit his attempt.
He made no mistake from his next chance. Gifted another through ball, Gyokeres got the ball out from under his feet and struck his shot across Ederson into the bottom corner.
Gyokeres then scored two penalties to complete his hat-trick, securing a very impressive win for Amorim’s side – while at the other end Erling Haaland missed a penalty.
United fans on Gyokeres
Manchester United supporters had a lot to say about Gyokeres’ performance, feeling encouraged by what they saw.
One fan wrote on X: “Gyokeres is truly amazing, we must get him in January no matter what. Any price is a bargain.”
And another echoed: “Ineos bring Gyokeres to the theatre by all means.”
“Bring me Gyokeres man. I been screaming it. BIG game player. TOP bags man. Bring him home @ManUtd”, added another.
A fourth added: “We need Gyokeres at United next season.”
“We need to sell Zirkzee to the highest bidder and buy Gyokeres,” insisted another.
And another fan wrote: “Gyokeres should be part of the Amorim deal.”
Viktor Gyokeres future
Viktor Gyokeres has a release clause at around £80 million and so a deal would be expensive. Manchester United have of course, spent higher fees on worse players.
Gyokeres gave mixed comments on his future when asked last week, amid speculation he may not be keen to move.
Mid-season, United won’t move. Ruben Amorim has insisted he will not be buying any Sporting players in January.
Between now and then, Rasmus Hojlund will get a chance to thrive in Amorim’s system and show he can be the coach’s new Gyokeres.
If he can’t deliver, then the real deal could be available at an expensive price next summer.
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