It may have come all too late with regard to Manchester United’s Premier League fortunes, although Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad is beginning to look far stronger, ahead of a pivotal last few weeks of the campaign.
Against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night, the dominant visitors showcased the growing depth to their ranks, with the former Sporting CP boss able to call upon the likes of Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Matthijs de Ligt and, of course, Amad Diallo from the bench.
At one stage looking set to miss the remainder of the season, after being struck down with an ankle injury back in mid-February, the diminutive Ivorian has beaten the odds to seal a swift return to action.
Previously the shining light of 2024/25, prior to being overtaken by Bruno Fernandes in his absence, the 22-year-old has chalked up 12 goals and assists in just 21 games under Amorim’s watch, having even looked lively during his brief cameo in midweek.
The former Atalanta starlet notably evaded his man down the right flank with a breathtaking piece of skill and trickery late on, with that moment alone signifying just what United have been missing in recent months.
Capable of operating at wing-back or in a number ten berth, the £120k-per-week wizard – who recently signed a new long-term deal – looks set to be a mainstay at Old Trafford for years to come. Now it’s time to start building a team around him…
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If Amad’s future is to lie as a number ten, then the role on the opposite side – should Fernandes slot into a deep-lying berth – could be taken up by Matheus Cunha, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers star seemingly edging closer to a £62.5m move to Old Trafford.
That new-look frontline could then be strengthened even further with the presence of a new centre-forward, with recent reports indicating that the Red Devils remain “in the race” for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
As per Sky Sports Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg, while it is Arsenal who are “pushing” to sign the prolific Swede, United are among the clubs also battling for his signature, alongside Chelsea and Real Madrid.
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According to Plettenberg, the 26-year-old is able to leave Portugal this summer for a fee between €60-€70m (£51m – £63m), having struck a “verbal agreement” with the Lisbon-based side already.
Previously signed by Amorim from Coventry City on a £17m deal back in 2023, Gyokeres could represent the key to truly kickstarting the new regime in Manchester.
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It remains remarkable that the Sweden international was once on the books at Brighton and Hove Albion, yet never actually managed to make a league appearance for the Seagulls, having been sent out on a handful of loan moves during his time at the Amex.
As noted by ESPN’s Mark Ogden, it was actually one-time United director, Dan Ashworth, who oversaw the measly £1m sale of Gyokeres to Coventry in 2021, with the player having since gone on to become the “hottest striker in Europe”.
The in-demand marksman had actually only scored four goals during his initial loan move with the Sky Blues, although as his former teammate Jake Bidwell revealed, he seemingly returned a “different animal” following the completion of his permanent switch.
38 Championship strikes followed over the next two seasons, while Gyokeres has since chalked up a breathtaking total of 95 goals in just 98 games in his current home, including seven across his last two Liga Portugal outings.
A monster. A machine. Whatever you want to call him, the rampaging number nine – who also boasts 15 goals in 26 senior games for his country – is simply devastating right now in front of goal, with it no surprise that Amorim might well be keen on a reunion.
Manager
Games
Goals
Assists
Erik ten Hag
24
3
3
Ruben Amorim
21
6
6
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8
1
1
Ruud van Nistelrooy
4
2
1
Ralf Rangnick
1
0
0
Michael Carrick
0
0
0
Total
58
12
9
What Gyokeres will need is quality service if he is potentially flourish at the Theatre of Dreams, with Amad – as well as Fernandes – potentially set to prove key in that regard, considering he has averaged 1.8 key passes per game in the league this season, while chalking up six assists, as per Sofascore.
Equally, the one-time Sunderland loanee also has that knack of driving at a defence in order to create space for his teammates, something which could certainly benefit Gyokeres, as he ranks in the top 9% among his European peers for progressive carries per 90.
That desire to make things happen in the final third also ensures that Amad ranks in the top 18% for touches in the opposition penalty box, again ensuring opportunities should arise for those alongside him.
A player who can press from the front with lightning speed, as indicated with his goal against Spurs after charging down Fraser Forster, Amad is simply a player who causes havoc. Someone who sucks defenders toward him.
In truth, having scored just 39 league goals in 2024/25, the Red Devils are crying out for similar talents who can win games on their own. Judging by Gyokeres’ heroics in Lisbon, he certainly fits the bill…
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