MX23RW : Monday, December 2 07:47:10| >> :60:380:380:

New Man United head coach Ruben Amorim talks-up Sporting Lisbon star as Portuguese drops major transfer hint

© Imago
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim says that Pedro Goncalves could "play for any team in the world" amid suggestions that Manchester United want to sign him next year.

Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim has said that Pedro Goncalves could "play for any team in the world" amid suggestions that Manchester United want to sign him.

Amorim will take charge of his final game for Sporting on Sunday, with the Green and Whites facing Braga in Portugal's top flight, before he officially becomes Man United's new head coach on Monday.

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of Sporting players since it was confirmed that Amorim would be Erik ten Hag's permanent replacement at Old Trafford.

Viktor Gyokeres, Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio are all allegedly admired by Man United, while Goncalves has been linked with a switch to the 20-time English champions.

Amorim has paid tribute to the "great player" and claimed that he has the ability to turn out for any club in world football when asked about a possible move to Old Trafford.

Pedro Goncalves of Sporting Lisbon on September 17, 2024© Imago

Amorim hails Goncalves amid potential Man United interest

"Pote? He [Goncalves] can play for any team in the world and with any player because he is a great player. I could take him anywhere," Amorim said during his press conference on Saturday.

"He's very funny, which improves our relationship but he is also very intelligent. However, he also has to focus on Sporting because we have to be champions this year, but also as a Sporting coach, I say he could play for any team in the world."

Goncalves, 26, has been in impressive form at club level during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring five goals and registering six assists in 11 appearances in all competitions.

Amorim has already confirmed that Man United will not be targeting any Sporting players during the January transfer window, but he refused to rule out potential moves next summer.

"I won't [sign Sporting players] in January, that's what I said. I don't know about the summer," Amorim added during his press conference.

"The first point is to hold on until the summer. Sporting players are very good players, I don't know, we'll see. I know the phenomenon of football especially in England, and I know how things change.

"I can talk about [Mikel] Arteta, [Ange] Postecoglou, how things went well, how they went badly. What will dictate is how the first game goes, with a win or not. Then we'll see."

Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon, October 2024© Imago

When will Amorim first manage Man United?

Amorim's work as Man United head coach will begin on Monday, and he will have the international break to get used to his new surroundings.

The 39-year-old's first game in charge of the Red Devils will come against Ipswich Town in the Premier League on November 24, before the English giants end the month with a Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will be again lead Man United into Sunday's Premier League clash against Leicester City, but it remains to be seen whether the Dutchman, who is in charge of the team on an interim basis, remains with the club once Amorim has arrived.

ID:557795:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5211:

Click here for more stories about Goncalo Inacio

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with Erling Haaland on October 20, 2024
Read Next:
Man City confirmed XI: Haaland decision made as 19-year-old makes full debut
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1311112681834
2Arsenal1374226141225
3Chelsea1374226141225
4Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton136522217523
5Manchester CityMan City137242219323
6Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest136431613322
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1362528141420
8Brentford136252623320
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd135441713419
10Fulham135441818019
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135441414019
12Aston Villa135441922-319
13Bournemouth135352019118
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham134361724-715
15Everton132561021-1111
16Leicester CityLeicester132471627-1110
17Crystal Palace131661118-79
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves132382232-109
19Ipswich TownIpswich131661324-119
20Southampton1312101025-155


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!