Ruben Amorim might sign a number of Sporting CP players to join Manchester United. As the Red Devils move swiftly to replace Ten Hah, the Portuguese manager appears destined to replace ten Hag and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Amorim, in contrast to Ten Hag, will hold the position of head coach, demonstrating the new hierarchy and organization at Manchester United under INEOS. According to a recent report by FootballTransfers, the 39-year-old’s title reflects the fact that CEO Omar Berrada and sports director Dan Ashworth are now making hiring decisions instead of the manager.
It will still be a collaborative process, though, and Amorim will have a significant influence over who shows up and who doesn’t if he is hired. Man Utd may want to sign Sporting CP talent in the future because Ashworth himself said that it is only “natural” for a coach to want to work with players he knows.
FootballTransfers examines five Sporting CP players that Manchester United could sign under Amorim below.
Goncalo Inacio (center-back, age 23) The defense has been Man Utd’s main issue in previous years. Although the backline has looked more stable and the attack has struggled this season. Matthijs de Ligt was the one who effectively fired Ten Hag by letting up a last-minute penalty against West Ham. Although De Ligt and Leny Yoro joined before the newest season, it seems likely that Manchester United will need to make a move for at least one new center-back next season due to the uncertainty surrounding Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans. Given that Manchester United (and Liverpool) have been scouting the Sporting center-back for a while, it will only be a matter of time before rumors about him reappear. The left-footer is one of the best defenders in the Portuguese league and a 12-time senior Portugal international. The 23-year-old’s release clause is worth €60 million.
Center-back Ousmane Diomande (20) Ousmane Diomande, Inacio’s co-conspirator and a highly regarded young defender, is another possibility for the Red Devils. The elite of Europe has been keeping an eye on the 20-year-old Ivorian for years, and it appears that he may soon make a significant move. Being three years younger than Inacio and right-footed, Diomande is also somewhat more expensive. Over the previous 18 months, the defender, who has a €80 million release clause, has been frequently linked to Chelsea and Arsenal.
25-year-old defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand Going forward, Morten Hjulmand will undoubtedly be on Manchester United’s radar as they move a little up the pitch. He has actually been in their sights for a minimum of a year. Since joining Sporting from Lecce, the Denmark international, who has the Gunners’ crest tattooed on his left arm and was a childhood Arsenal supporter, has excelled in defensive midfield. Man Utd wants to add at least two new midfield players in 2025 because Casemiro and Christian Eriksen might leave Old Trafford next summer. Hjulmand also has a €80 million release clause.
17-year-old right-winger Geovany Quenda If Amorim can turn around the Brazilian’s fortunes, he will go down in history as a miracle worker. Antony has been a huge failure at Old Trafford. But because this doesn’t seem realistic, Manchester United will need a right-winger for the upcoming campaign. Thus, it should come as no surprise that references to Sporting sensation Geovany Quenda have increased in recent weeks. The ‘little brother’ of Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged this season, becoming a mainstay under Amorim at the age of 17. He will turn 18 in April, which would allow him to join Manchester United in the summer, but his €100 million release clause is a big obstacle.
Viktor Gyokeres, a center-forward, age 26:It would be impossible to compile a list of Sporting CP players without including Viktor Gyokeres. Since coming from Coventry in 2023, the Swedish marksman has been nothing short of spectacular. Sky Germany recently disclosed that Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City were all monitoring him, despite his association with Arsenal. Gyokeres and his coach have a fantastic relationship, and in the summer, Gyokeres’ agency acknowledged that it would be hard for the 26-year-old to continue if his coach left the team. Furthermore, according to the aforementioned rumor, Sporting and Gyokeres have a “pact” that permits Gyokeres to go for €60–€70 million next summer instead of €100 million, as required under his release clause.
