Manchester United were made to look distinctly average for 80 minutes by Southampton on Thursday at Old Trafford despite the Saints being bottom of the Premier League table.
They took a first-half lead and were looking on course to pick up only their second win of the campaign but for Amad Diallo to wreak havoc and destroy them in a superb 12-minute spell that yielded a hattrick for the Ivorian.
Despite the win, Ruben Amorim will realise that his team need to show a lot of improvement if they are to climb back up the table, especially up top.
Rasmus Hojlund looked lost yet again and has now not score for over a month and apart from the lack of goals, his overall attitude has not been great either with fans seemingly running out of patience.
United need attacking reinforcements
Joshua Zirkzee made a huge impact when coming on as a substitute on Thursday but the Netherlands international has also been goal-shy and has also been linked with an exit.
With Marcus Rashford looking to leave, Amorim needs attacking reinforcements and his biggest wish was for a reunion with his Sporting Lisbon protege Viktor Gyokeres.
However, his promise not to sign any player from his former employers coupled with the Swede’s €100 million release clause has meant the Red Devils have steered clear of the prolific marksman in the winter.
As relayed by The Peoples Person, Arsenal, having lost Gabriel Jesus to an injury in their game against United recently, were mulling over paying the 26-year-old’s release clause in full in January itself.
However, The Independent have claimed that Sporting will resist any attempt to get their talisman mid-season and if he does stay till the summer, it is likely that Amorim’s presence could help INEOS clinch the deal for Gyokeres.
The Sweden international would find it hard to turn down a move to Old Trafford to reunite with his former coach and United are confident of winning the race in the summer despite the presence of so many interested parties.
“Manchester United are hopeful of holding off competition for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres to secure a deal in the summer. Arsenal are understood to have raised the striker in discussions over a badly-needed forward signing for January.
United remain confident of winning Gyokeres race
“Sporting would also prefer to keep the forward for a full season, having already lost their star manager Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford.
“The clubs have a good relationship, which has fostered a belief that Gyokeres is likelier to move in the summer rather than now. While the Swedish international is naturally keen to take his career to the next level, he would love to work with Amorim again, given the Portuguese is credited with bringing out the best qualities in Gyokeres’ game.
“There is also the lure of Old Trafford and United as a club, as they embark on a new era. Sources say there is hope from within all of this can stave off other interest, and ensure Gyokeres arrives at the end of the season.”
The Sporting striker has an incredible 32 goals from 30 games across all competitions while last season, he had notched 43 goals in 50 games. He is exactly the kind of striker that Amorim needs to take this team to the next level.
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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
