4 Sporting CP stars Ruben Amorim should sign for Man Utd | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag has already shown Manchester United supporters the pitfalls of recruiting from your manager's former employers.

The Dutchman regularly leaned on those he worked with at Ajax, convincing the United hierarchy to sign his old mentees from Amsterdam. The results were largely underwhelming - £82m on Antony proved to be a particularly bruising deal - but perhaps Ruben Amorim can have greater luck.

The former Sporting CP head coach has been touted with signing an array of players he nurtured in Lisbon, with transfer links only likely to intensify during the upcoming summer window. There are some high-profile names at the Estadio Jose Alvalade that would be worthy of turning out at Old Trafford next season.

Here are four who could prosper for the Red Devils.

Goncalo Inacio has long been admired by Europe's elite / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/GettyImages

United have signed an abundance of centre-backs over recent years but few have been able to live up to their potential. They dipped into the market for Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt last summer - the latter another ex-Ajax star who had worked with Ten Hag - but neither have found life straightforward in England.

With Amorim sticking to his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation at Old Trafford, the importance of the correct profile of centre-back cannot be overstated. Perhaps Goncalo Inacio could ease United's defensive issues.

The Sporting defender rose to prominence under the guidance of Amorim, featuring on the left-hand side of the back three. The powerful and speedy 23-year-old has now amassed over 200 appearances for the reigning Portuguese champions and has attracted mass interest from Europe's elite as a result - including Real Madrid and Liverpool.

United have themselves been linked with the versatile left-footer, who boasts a supreme attacking threat as well as excellent defensive attributes. Averaging a goal approximately every ten matches for Sporting, attacking prowess is another string to his bow.

A price tag of around €45m (£37.6m) seems perfectly reasonable for the talented 14-cap Portugal international, who could be a transformative figure in Amorim's United set-up.

The midfielder could provide stability at Old Trafford / Diogo Cardoso/GettyImages

Morten Hjulmand announced himself to an English audience in some style last summer. The Denmark international produced a rasping long-range effort against Gareth Southgate's Three Lions at Euro 2024, but it's not just the odd thunderbolt that has won him admirers across the continent.

The 25-year-old was signed by Amorim from Lecce at the beginning of last season and quickly established himself as an integral cog en route to the Primeira Liga title for Sporting. He made 49 appearances in all competitions and even popped up with four goals and three assists - a tally he's close to matching this term.

Hjulmand's eye-catching mobility allowed him to thrive in the two-man midfield that Amorim favours, with the Scandinavian box-to-boxer blending impressive technical attributes with an aptitude for snuffing out opposition attacks. He retains possession well, too, by competently evading the press - he ranks in the top 23% of midfielders for successful take-ons and fouls drawn in the Champions League this term.

Midfield has been a problem area for United throughout the campaign and they desperately need someone capable of fulfilling Amorim's brief in the engine room. Hjulmand could be that man.

Trincao

Trincao has been linked with Man Utd / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages

It appeared at one time that Trincao's chance at the elite level had passed. The tricky winger made a quick ascent at Braga - where he worked with Amorim - and subsequently earned a move to Barcelona in 2020. But a tame debut season in Catalonia was followed by a similarly uninspiring loan spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sporting took a chance on Trincao as he reunited with Amorim and an immensely successful loan spell was followed by a permanent deal at the beginning of last season. He has managed over 15 goals and assists in every season with the Lisbon giants and his dazzling performances have naturally attracted attention.

United have been strongly linked with signing the 25-year-old but will potentially have to rival Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle United for his services. They have the Amorim advantage, however, likely giving them the upper hand in any deal.

The Red Devils desperately need attacking reinforcements given they could lose Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony on permanent deals this summer. Trincao's work ethic and flair make him an excellent replacement for one of United's misfiring wingers.

Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres is one of Europe's best strikers / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages

There has been no area of United's expensively assembled squad that hasn't underwhelmed this season, but it's the No 9 department that has often received most criticism. While they have struggled for service, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund must take responsibility for consistently sub-par performances.

Despite spending big on the misfiring duo during recent windows, United could dip into the market in search of another striker this summer - although that's far from guaranteed. If decision-makers green light a shiny new centre-forward, then Viktor Gyokeres will be high on the wishlist.

Amorim transformed the Sweden international into a world-beating striker during their spell together at Sporting, with Gyokeres scoring 43 goals in 50 appearances during his debut season in Lisbon. This year, he's already breached the 40-mark again.

The Scandi colossus has proven his credentials in Portugal and on the continent in the Champions League, with his powerful and athletic frame matched by a thunderous right boot and incredible attacking intelligence. He's the whole package and already accustomed to the trials and tribulations of English football after stints with Brighton & Hove Albion and Coventry City.

Such is his immense quality, Gyokeres could almost single-handedly transform United's attacking play.