RUBEN AMORIM will scrap with old pal Hugo Viana for Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres next year.
The striker, 26, became hot property under gaffer Amorim at Sporting and his release clause could see him move for £65million.
Viktor Gyokeres has been sensational since joining Sporting LisbonReuters
Ruben Amorim is interested in bringing the striker to Manchester UnitedGetty
Manchester United are sure Amorim’s arrival as their boss will secure his signature.
But they face a battle with Manchester City and Viana, who will take over as their director of football after he leaves Sporting next summer.
Viana oversaw the Sweden star’s signing from Coventry last year and he has scored 58 goals for club and country in 2024.
Amorim refused to fuel the speculation at his first United press conference on Friday but said he hopes Gyokeres stays injury-free and keeps scoring.
The new Red Devils boss said: “Viktor Gyokeres is a Sporting player.
“He has a game tonight [Friday] and I hope he plays well, doesn’t get injured and continues to be successful at Sporting.”
Portuguese Viana, 41, played a key role in Amorim becoming Sporting boss in 2020 but will want to pip him to the post for Gyokeres at City.
The release clause rules out a bidding war but sets the scene for an intriguing tug-of-war instead.
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Pep Guardiola will be hoping to bring Gyokeres to Manchester CityReuters
Man Utd have struggled to score goals so far this season, netting just 12 in 11 Premier League games.
Meanwhile, neighbours Man City suffered a fifth successive defeat in all competitions on Saturday as Tottenham thrashed them 4-0 at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland has scored 12 goals in all competitions, but the team’s next highest scorers are Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic on three.
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