Sporting bosses ‘expect’ Ruben Amorim to try to sign four of their players for Man Utd – Man Utd

Sporting Lisbon bosses have privately admitted that they expect Ruben Amorim to try to sign up to four of their players for Manchester United, it has been reported.

Amorim will officially take charge at Old Trafford on November 11 after he serves out a shortened notice period in Lisbon, agreed upon as part of negotiations with United.

In total, INEOS are splashing out £10.6 million to bring Amorim to the club, including his release clause and additional compensation for several members of his coaching staff.

The 39-year-old will replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday and who will receive a significant compensation clause.

The Athletic report that United will be ‘close to the line‘ in terms of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules as a result of the managerial change, but are adamant that they will not be in breach.

What that means for any January transfers is unclear, but reports indicate that the Red Devils are already exploring moves in the transfer market to bolster Amorim’s squad and enhance his three-defender system.

And according to The Sun, Sporting are worried that their manager will swoop to sign some of his soon-to-be former players – despite his reported statements to the contrary.

One player Amorim is reportedly keen on bringing to United is striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has already smashed in 20 goals in all competitions this season and netted four times during Sporting’s 5-1 win over Estrela on Friday evening.

The Sweden international, who moved to Portugal from Championship side Coventry City last year, is valued at around £80 million.

United have been linked in the past to defender Goncalo Inacio, who is left-footed and is a key player in Amorim’s three-defender system at Sporting.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk claim that Amorim is also keen on reuniting with midfielder Pedro Goncalves and the former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards when he does arrive at Old Trafford.

His first game in charge of United will be an away fixture to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on November 24.

Until then, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee home league fixtures against Chelsea and Leicester, with United hosting PAOK in the Europa League inbetween those two matches.