Ruben Amorim ‘tells Man United board he wants to sign No 1 target NOW rather than wait until the summer’ with Red Devils boss eager to strengthen under-firing squad despite limited funds

Ruben Amorim has told Manchester United chiefs that he cannot wait until the summer to land Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, a report has claimed. 

The Sporting Lisbon forward achieved remarkable scoring feats under the Red Devils boss at the Portuguese giants and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford amid the club’s recent woes. 

United could see both Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee leave the club in the January transfer window, with the former keen to seek pastures new. The Dutchman, meanwhile, has struggled to settle since his summer move. 

After the Red Devils’ 2-0 defeat by Newcastle on Monday – their ninth of the league campaign – Amorim indicated that he would not be able to improve his squad this winter, saying: ‘We don’t have that possibility in January.’

However, according the Daily Star, the Portuguese has now informed club bosses that acquiring Gyokeres this month is necessity. 

The 26-year-old previously left Championship outfit Coventry last year in a £20m deal following the club’s defeat in the second division play-off final against Luton. 

Viktor Gyokeres became of the Europe’s deadliest marksman at Sporting Lisbon under the management of the Portuguese boss

United reportedly need to offload players before their make additions in January. Pictured: Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe

But a move to Old Trafford would set the club back around £80million, owing to a release clause in his contract.  

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that United will need to offload players before they are able to bring in fresh talent. In addition to the attacking positions, the side are in desperate need of wing backs to fit Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. 

Last month Gyokeres fuelled speculation of a move to the Premier League when he outlined his desire to play in the English top-flight. 

‘Of course it [moving to Sporting] was different, because I had the goal of playing in the Premier League,’ he told Swedish Daily. 

‘That was my focus and the adjustment was difficult… but I thought about it, I talked to those around me who helped me a lot.

‘It started to look more and more like it was the right thing to do: play in a top team and have more chances during games.

”In the end, it seems like it was the best choice for me’

Amorim had previously denied suggestions that he will launch a raid on his former club in the short-term for Gyokeres but the severity of United’s situation may have prompted a change of heart. 

The club’s top scorers this season are Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, who has not played since the start of December, with four goals. Monday’s defeat against the Magpies saw the club fall to within seven points of the relegation in 14th place. 

The Red Devils face leaders Liverpool on Sunday before an FA Cup third round clash against Arsenal at the Emirates.