Ruben Amorim is tasked with revitalizing Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s careers at Manchester United.
Both players have not yet reached their full potential at Old Trafford after making high-profile transfers. Even though Hojlund is United’s top striker, as seen by his 18 goals in 53 games, he has struggled for consistency since joining from Atalanta in the summer of 2023.
Following a season marred by injuries, the 21-year-old has only scored two goals and hasn’t scored since mid-October. Zirkzee, a Bologna summer acquisition, is also under scrutiny.
Erik ten Hag was reportedly not thrilled that the striker was signed in the first place. The 23-year-old had a fantastic start, netting in the team’s victory over Fulham the first weekend, but hasn’t scored since. The Dutchman’s confirmed replacement in the dugout, Amorim, will want to add players for the upcoming transfer windows, but he also needs to make the most of his current roster.
Victor Gyokeres, who scored a hat-trick against Manchester City this week, is a perfect illustration of how the Portuguese coach has demonstrated his ability to develop players at Sporting.
The 26-year-old Swede, who was passed over by larger clubs in his early career, has shown himself to be a late bloomer. He was still playing in the Championship with Coventry City just 18 months ago. Since joining Sporting for just £20 million in 2023, Gyokeres has scored an incredible 66 goals in 67 games, making him maybe the most attractive striker in Europe.
The United hierarchy has taken note of that. The Independent claims that talks on how Amorim would affect Hojlund and Zirkzee similarly have already taken place at Old Trafford, and the two have even been brought up in talks with the new manager.
Before Amorim officially begins work on Monday, Ruud van Nistelrooy is getting ready to take charge of the team for the last time. Since Ten Hag was fired, the Dutchman has served as the team’s temporary manager.
Whether Van Nistelrooy has a long-term future at Sporting, where he returned as a coach in the summer, is uncertain given that Amorim is expected to be followed to Manchester by his coaching staff.
In an interview conducted before Sunday’s game against Leicester, the 48-year-old former striker said: “First of all, it was a special period—it is still, of course.”
“I called it a pivotal moment because I think we had to play as well as we could in the four games. So far, I think we have done a great job. The players’ responses in the games have been good.
With a major game coming up and a huge three points up for grabs, the emphasis now is undoubtedly on building on it and demonstrating that on Sunday. I’m not sure if it will be sentimental. I take this very seriously, even though I am thrilled to be able to fulfil it.
“We will see how I feel on Sunday; there is not much more news than anything that happened yesterday evening.”
