“This is a position that I’d like to see improvement” - Berbatov suggests player who Ruben Amorim must sign at Manchester United
Former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov reckons his former side need to strengthen their attacking options up front. He also suggested that incoming United head coach Ruben Amorim should sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres amid their goalscoring woes this season.
Manchester United have struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis this season, netting just nine goals in 10 Premier League fixtures - the third-lowest in the competition.
Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to impress, with the former netting two goals in 10 appearances across all competitions. Meanwhile, Zirkzee has scored one goal and provided two assists in 15 appearances across competitions. It has been an underwhelming start to his Old Trafford tenure since joining the club over the summer.
Berbatov is hopeful that Amorim can reverse Manchester United's attacking fortunes by recruiting Gyokeres. He told Sky Sports (via METRO):
"This guy Viktor Gyokeres, he is scoring goals for run right now. So I think there is a special connection with the coach so maybe we probably are going to see him in a United shirt."
When asked if he would welcome Gyokeres' signing, he replied:
"From what he is showing right now, I think yes. Our strikers at the moment are not producing and scoring goals. We’re 18th in the league [for goals scored so far this season] which is embarrassing for a stature of club like United. So this is a position that I would like to see improvement."
Gyokeres is currently one of the most in-form strikers in Europe. The 26-year-old has garnered 20 goals and four assists in 16 appearances across competitions for Sporting CP this season, showing Amorim knows how to utilize the Sweden international effectively.
"No one gives more, wants to win more, or cares quite as much" - Harry Redknapp names one Manchester United player who could be revitalized under Ruben Amorim
Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp reckons out-of-favor centre-back Harry Maguire could thrive under Ruben Amorim. Maguire struggled to establish himself as a regular in Erik ten Hag's starting XI, making 71 appearances across competitions since the 2022-23 campaign.
Amorim is reportedly set to become Manchester United's head coach on November 11. He is expected to implement his 3-4-3 system at the club, which Maguire could take full advantage of, given he has flourished in a back three with England and Leicester City.
Redknapp stated (via United in Focus):
“I wanted to find the players I could rely on, just as Amorim has to at United. And I’d be amazed if Harry Maguire isn’t top of that list. Harry didn’t always have the easiest of rides under Erik ten Hag — and that’s putting it mildly — and a lot of money was spent on new central defenders."
He added:
“But Maguire kept his head down throughout it all, didn’t cause a fuss, waited for his chance and always gave 100 per cent when it arrived. There might be more glamorous names at United, but no one gives more, wants to win more, or cares quite as much.”
Maguire will have to face competition from the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans to become Manchester United's first-choice centre-back.