Ruben Amorim will come face-to-face with his former player Viktor Gyokeres when Manchester United host Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. The pair lifted two league titles together at Sporting CP, but while the Sweden international has since moved to the Gunners in a £63.5 million deal, Amorim insists United are focused on the team and not just one player.
Gyokeres faces former coach Amorim in Premier League openerPortuguese downplays striker's solo threatArsenal star expected to spearhead Gunners' title challengeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal signed Gyokeres this summer after his record-breaking spell under Amorim at Sporting CP, where he netted 39 league goals and 54 in all competitions last season. Manchester United were briefly linked with a move, given the striker’s history with their current manager, but went for Benjamin Sesko in the end. Now, Gyokeres will line up against his former boss in a blockbuster Old Trafford opener.
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Speaking to , Amorim was clear that United’s preparations won’t revolve around his former striker, saying: "We just plan like any other, on other team. We just need to understand what kind of player he is in that position… because that can be different movements, and we need to explain that to the team. I think he is going to adapt really well to England. He's a very good player, a very good kid. But he's one more player, and on Sunday, he's going to be on the other side, and [laughs] I don't care about Viktor."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Gyokeres is expected to be a central figure in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge this season, but Amorim is determined not to let sentiment distract him. The Portuguese coach has overseen a summer rebuild at United, spending big to add Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to his frontline. He has claimed that Old Trafford has to become a fortress again if United are to mount a serious challenge over the coming few years.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
United kick off their Premier League campaign at home against Arsenal on Sunday. All eyes will be on Gyokeres as he makes his competitive debut for the Gunners. For Amorim, the test is ensuring his new-look United side can make a winning start at Old Trafford.