Amorim has just found his new Gyokeres at Man United & it’s not Zirkzee or Hojlund – opinion

Manchester United’s impressive 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad last night marked a significant highlight of the Ruben Amorim era, securing their advancement to the quarterfinals where they will face French club Lyon.

Bruno Fernandes was the standout performer, rightfully earning the spotlight with his hat-trick, as his goals proved crucial in determining the outcome, resulting in a 5-2 aggregate score that ensured qualification.

His fellow countryman, Diogo Dalot, also contributed to the scoreline, which may bolster the 25-year-old’s confidence after a period of underwhelming performances.

The team’s collective effort was commendable, and this victory over the LaLiga side brings Amorim closer to achieving his first trophy at Old Trafford, potentially allowing the season to conclude on a more positive note following their struggles in the Premier League.

Such a dominant display will not only instill confidence in the manager but also uplift several players who have faced challenges in their performances throughout the 2024/25 season.

Hojlund & Zirkzee’s stats for United against Sociedad

Despite not scoring in this campaign, Amorim chose to include Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the starting front three, both of whom delivered commendable performances.

Although the Danish player did not manage to score again, he provided an assist for Dalot’s late goal, proving to be a persistent challenge for the opposition and winning four out of six aerial duels.

He also achieved an impressive 84% pass completion rate, creating three opportunities for his teammates and making a significant positive contribution in the attacking third.

Similarly, the Dutch player did not find the net but recorded four shots on goal, consistently posing a threat in the attacking zone.

The 23-year-old successfully completed three dribbles during the match and accurately connected with all his long passes, beginning to demonstrate his potential after a challenging start at Old Trafford.

Nevertheless, in addition to the performances of these two players, another individual emerged, possibly becoming Amorim’s new equivalent of a standout player who excelled at Sporting CP.

The player who is Amorim’s new Gyokeres

Striker Viktor Gyokeres has frequently been mentioned as a potential transfer target for United, possibly following manager Amorim to England due to his remarkable performance in Portugal.

The Swedish international has scored 82 goals in 90 matches for Sporting, leading many fans to express a desire for the manager to reconnect with his former star player.

However, the current market for strikers is exceedingly expensive, which could render a transfer prohibitive this summer. Nevertheless, supporters need not be concerned, as midfielder Fernandes has demonstrated his ability to step up as the new key player for the manager.

The 30-year-old has been a standout performer throughout the 2024/25 season, consistently delivering results despite the team’s struggles in the Premier League, where they currently occupy a position in the lower half of the table.

He has accumulated 26 goals and assists combined so far, with his three goals further enhancing his already impressive statistics, even amid the challenges faced by the first team.

Since the manager’s appointment in late November of the previous year, Bruno has scored 10 goals, the highest tally among all players, highlighting his significance to the team and raising questions about their potential performance without him.

Despite playing a deeper role, he has recorded six shots on goal and created four chances for his teammates, showcasing an exceptional attacking contribution.