Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has distanced himself from speculation suggesting he has already agreed to follow Ruben Amorim to Manchester United – although the possibility of a move elsewhere in the Premier League remains a distinct possibility.

The Red Devils confirmed Amorim’s appointment on Friday, after agreeing to pay £9.2 million (€11 million, $11.9 million) – beyond his exit clause with Sporting Lisbon – to install him as new manager from Monday November 11. Manchester United Having found himself falling far behind under Erik ten Hag, ambitious minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes the only way out now is for his expensively assembled team.

Amorim’s first match in charge will be on Sunday 24 November at Ipswich, while his first game at Old Trafford will be four days later against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

Expected to initiate a formation change at Old Trafford, questions have already been raised over whether United have the personnel to achieve Amorim’s favored 3-4-3 formation.

The Swedish striker is one of the key men behind his recent success at Sporting. Gyokereswho has scored an incredible 63 goals in 66 appearances for the reigning Primeira Liga champions since his transfer from Coventry last summer.

And following claims in Portugal that the striker could agree to follow his manager to Old Trafford in a £70million deal, the 24-times capped Swedish striker has opened up on the speculation , affirming his joy of living in the Portuguese capital.

“Are you going with Amorim to Manchester United? I don’t know,” Gyokeres replied when asked about the possibility of joining Amorim after his four-goal performance against Estrela on Friday night.

“I’m here. As you can see, I like Sporting.

“It’s nothing I really think about. I am sad about his departure (Amorim). We wish him all the best.

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Several reports have recently suggested that Gyokeres was angry at Amorim’s decision to leave Sporting just over three months into the season, having rejected the opportunity to part ways over the summer.

As a result, it has been speculated that the striker could follow his manager to Old Trafford, with Tim Sherwood suggesting he could “100% see” the move happening and with a number of other leading pundits including Rio Ferdinand, also calling for United. to bring in the powerful Swede.

And although Gyokeres denied suggestions he would follow Amorim to Old Trafford, the player’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya, speaking earlier this year to A Bolaadmitted that the prolific striker would struggle to stay at Sporting if Amorim ever left.

“Yes, it will be more difficult for Viktor to stay if Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting,” Cetinkaya said.

“Viktor came to Sporting precisely because of Ruben. The day we met, I said to Ruben: “Here’s my boy, he came to Sporting because of you.”

“Of course, it’s an honor for any player to be able to play in the Champions League. Viktor is no exception in this regard, but there are other important things and Ruben Amorim is one of them. If he leaves, it will be harder for Viktor to continue.

Amorim himself opened up on transfer to Old Traffordconceding that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had given him an ultimatum regarding this decision and effectively left him no choice.

Although the 39-year-old has promised not to sign any Sporting players during the January window, future raids on the Estadio Jose Alvalade cannot be ruled out.

However, sources have told TEAMtalk that the possibility of Gyokeres leaving during the winter window remains possible, but it is a move to summer suitors Arsenal that seems most likely at this stage..

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As well as Gyokeres, United have also been linked with a move to bring Ousmane Diomande to Old Trafford – a completely logical move given the 3-4-3 formation Amorim tends to prefer. But any deal for the Ivory Coast center back won’t come cheap.

However, sources close to TEAMtalk have revealed that three other Sporting CP players were named by Amorim as part of the negotiations that brought the 39-year-old head coach to Old Trafford – and we understand deals for the trio look more likely if United attack the Primeira Liga champions again.

Elsewhere, United linked with rather ambitious move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior Amid the claims, the Spanish giants are desperate to avoid a painful scenario with the Brazilian striker following his recent Ballon d’Or snubbing.

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