Despite the odds being firmly stacked against them, Manchester United produced their best performance under Ruben Amorim on Sunday as they battled to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
As seen in the Manchester derby, the team once again showed big-game temperament with a marked contrast in performance levels from the Newcastle defeat.
Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes’ returns were the catalysts while Diogo Dalot also impressed in the left wingback role, showing that when the players want, they can produce the goods in the head coach’s desired system.
Goals from Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo were enough to grab a point but Amorim will be concerned with what he saw Rasmus Hojlund produce up front.
Rasmus struggled again, Amorim needs help
The Dane hardly managed to make the ball stick under pressure and his feeble attempt when put through on goal was reminiscent of his weak finish in the same match last season.
The Portuguese tactician will be desperate for attacking additions to salvage the season, especially as Joshua Zirkzee looks to be leaving while Marcus Rashford also wants out.
He had asked for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres but due to his promise to his former suitors, a January approach seems to be off the cards.
However, The Daily Star have now claimed a summer deal also looks in danger due to Bayern Munich’s entry into the race with the Bavarian giants willing to pay his release clause in full.
Amorim must have thought a reunion was on the cards but the Swede is not too sure about joining United given their current predicament while Bayern will provide him the chance to keep playing in the Champions League.
“Bayern Munich want to hijack Manchester United’s bid to sign Swedish sensation Viktor Gyokeres. It’s understood the German giants have started talks with the forward’s representatives. Gyokeres has a buy-out clause in his Sporting contract worth £80m – and Bayern bosses are willing to meet it.
Gyokeres Bayern-bound?
“Amorim thought he might be in pole position to sign Gyokeres, due to the close relationship the pair have from working together in Lisbon.
“But the 26-year-old has reservations about joining United, due to the size of the job his former boss is facing at Old Trafford. While Gyokeres would also prefer to join a club operating in the Champions League next season. This puts Bayern in pole position.”
The 26-year-old has 30 goals in 28 games, more than all three of United’s strikers combined, while also registering six assists. He would have been the ideal signing given his relationship with Amorim but the Red Devils could now be forced to look elsewhere.
Links with Victor Osimhen are on the rise as a result and it will be interesting to see if INEOS can somehow pull off this coup in the winter window.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
