Manchester United will look to back Ruben Amorim with new signings this summer and that could include raiding his former club Sporting.
Ineos may want Europa League football for the next four seasons but there is now a strong chance of Manchester United missing out on Europe entirely.
United lost to Fulham and have now crashed out of the FA Cup whilst sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League.
The last remaining hope is the Europa League; United going all the way would secure a spot in the Champions League for next season.
Ruben Amorim is now left in a tricky position; he needs to strengthen his United squad but no European football would be a blow both in terms of appeal and finances.
Sporting attempt to stop Manchester United move
Amorim knows that he must be ruthless with this United squad with wheeling and dealing likely to be the order of business this summer.
Potential signings are already being linked and Amorim may well be ready to raid Sporting.
Amorim may not have wanted to snatch Sporting players just weeks after leaving the club but Geovany Quenda is expected to join United this summer.
Another name is in the mix though with United interested in Sporting’s Francisco Trincao after hiring Amorim.
Trincao failed to live up to his potential at Barcelona and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but really excelled under Amorim at Sporting and even Braga.
The 25-year-old has bagged 31 goals and 25 assists in 131 games under Amorim and the pair may yet reunite once again.
A Bola claim that Sporting are now trying to keep Trincao though and want to renew his contract.
It’s noted that United actually face competition for Trincao with Manchester City – and incoming transfer chief Hugo Viana – also keen.
Viana is leaving Sporting for City this summer, so Trincao may have interest from two men who brought him to Sporting in the first place.
Where Francisco Trincao would fit in for Manchester United
Convincing Trincao to sign a new contract when two huge English clubs are interested is not easy.
Trincao may feel that he needs to seize this chance to shine and playing Amorim at a third club would surely appeal.
The Portuguese ace knows Amorim’s tactical approach so well and he would likely be seen as playing as the right-sided number 10 in United’s 3-4-2-1.
That was predominantly where Trincao played under Amorim at Sporting and United don’t quite have a natural option in that role.
Quenda is likely being viewed as a wing back with Trincao then able to play further forward – just as they have with Sporting.
Trincao’s up-and-down career may not set pulses racing among United fans but Amorim will certainly trust him to make a big impact – if he snubs Sporting and City in favour of Old Trafford.
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