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.
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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.”
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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.
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