Manchester United supporters were treated to a masterclass as they boosted TNT Sports’ viewership numbers to tune into Manchester City’s 4-1 defeat at Sporting tonight. Incoming United boss Ruben Amorim bid farewell to the Jose Alvalade Stadium in style as his Portuguese champions ran riot to pile onto Pep Guardiola’s recent misery.
Phil Foden teased a long night for the hosts as he fired City into the lead after just four minutes, profiting from a mistake in midfield from Hidemasa Morita and shoddy goalkeeping by Franco Israel.
But Morita, Israel and Sporting rallied from there, producing a four-goal rout to condemn the visitors to a third consecutive defeat, following back-to-back 2-1 losses at Tottenham and AFC Bournemouth.
One player stole the show, as he so often has done under Amorim’s reign in Lisbon. Viktor Gyokeres further established himself as one of the world’s deadliest strikers.
The 26-year-old Swede fumbled a glorious chance shortly after City’s opener, directing an attempted chip into Ederson’s grateful grasp as he ran through on goal unchallenged.
But he soon clicked into gear, netting a hat-trick, including two ice-cold penalties, to add to Maximiliano Araujo’s go-ahead goal in the opening minute of the second half.
United splashed £108.5million on striker signings during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, handing the Dutchman two young options in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Hojlund – who cost £72m – was the Red Devils’ top goalscorer in his debut season, netting 16 times in all competitions. His similarities to Gyokeres while being five years younger will excite Amorim.
However, Zirkzee’s less explosive style seems the opposite of the Sporting frontman’s. If that doesn’t concern Amorim, his early record of one goal in 15 United games will.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the 23-year-old is set to be shipped out of Old Trafford, though.
His first touch and ability to link play among his fellow attackers could make him an ideal fit for one of the two No. 10s in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
But even if that’s the route United’s new head coach goes, that would leave Hojlund as his only senior striker, potentially prompting the club to return to the striker market.
