Manchester United finally found their shooting boots in Wednesday’s 5-2 Carabao Cup win against Leicester City – although they still have an ongoing concern in that area.
None of the goal-scorers at Old Trafford were strikers, with Joshua Zirkzee failing to score in his last 13 matches. It means United’s centre-forwards have netted just three times between them so far this season, which sinks to two when it comes to Premier League games.
United have netted a meagre eight times in their nine top-flight outings, with just Crystal Palace and rock-bottom Southampton scoring fewer. The hope is that incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will arrest United’s general poor form in front of goal, having seen what is possible at the Theatre of Dreams in midweek.
His work with strikers is best shown in Viktor Gyokeres, who has reached dizzy new heights since his transfer to Sporting CP from Coventry City in the summer of 2023. The Swede netted 43 goals in 50 matches last term as the club picked up the Portuguese title.
His form promoted summer links with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea – before the player himself announced he was staying in Lisbon. Meanwhile, United have spent at least £35million in compensation fees since then.
Around £17million of that is being given to Erik ten Hag in sacking compensation, while it will cost £8.3million to prise Amorim out of his Sporting contract. This, too, after forking out £10million to Newcastle United for sporting director Dan Ashworth.
How much was paid to Southampton for technical director Jason Wilcox remains unknown. These fees contribute towards spending limits, having also splashed more than £200million on player transfers this summer.
It could well be that United – who last month posted a financial loss of £113million for the annum – are reluctant to spend for a third January in a row amid spending constraints. In any case, it is unlikely that the expensive Gyokeres would be acquired in the new year.
However, next summer could be a different story. Reports in Portugal rumour that Sporting CP are willing to back down from their £83million release-clause price tag should an ample offer arrive.
And with Amorim at the helm, United have a massive carrot. Speaking back in April, Hasan Cetinkaya – the player’s agent – revealed the reason why his client chose Sporting in 2023.
“Everyone was waiting for Viktor to sign with a Premier League club,” he told Record. “And the answer to that question is that I brought Viktor to Sporting for just one reason, and this is also something I said to Mr. Amorim when I saw him for the first time…
“I said it before I even said hello to him; ‘I only brought my player here because of you’. Therefore, I only brought Gyokeres to Sporting because of Ruben Amorim.”
So it seems United would hold a clear advantage over their rivals next year when it comes to a potential transfer chase. Gyokeres has carried on his form of last season this term, too, with 15 goals in 14 matches. If United are still struggling up top, the 26-year-old seems an easy first signing.