Man United are told NOT to sign Viktor Gyokeres… because the Sporting Lisbon hitman ‘isn’t a natural finisher’ – despite scoring 26 goals in 24 games this season!

A former Premier League star has warned Manchester United against bringing Viktor Gyokeres to the club because of a significant flaw in his game.

The Swedish striker became Europe’s top scorer in 2024 with his superb performance at Sporting Lisbon, scoring 60 goals for both club and country in the calendar year.

His ridiculous goalscoring record since joining the Portuguese club from Coventry last year has attracted the attention of suitors from the Premier League, and Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Manchester United has added further fuel to the fire.

Amorim got the best out of Gyokeres during his time at Sporting; The striker helped the club to Portugal’s top-flight title in his first season and has scored 26 goals in 24 appearances this season.

While the newly appointed United boss has so far remained tight-lipped in trying to lure Gyokeres away from his former club, Arsenal have also been linked with the centre-forward.

But Watford and Premier League icon Troy Deeney believe both clubs would make a mistake by forking over a huge sum to secure Gyokeres’ services.

Deeney scored 47 Premier League goals in 165 appearances for Watford but was not convinced by Gyokeres’ finishing ability, insisting that he believed the 26-year-old was not a ‘natural finisher’.

“You know when you say something the clip will come back in six months,” Deeney told talkSPORT.

‘I really think he’s a good football player, he works really hard. But I don’t think he’s a natural finisher.’

Deeney also explained that Manchester United and Arsenal would have no chance of winning the Premier League title if they signed Gyokeres, and called for caution when deciding whether to make an offer.

‘And everyone will break the goal record again, I understand that. But I don’t think it will take either of them to win the Premier League,” Deeney added.

“That’s just my opinion and if that were the case they would have bought him already,” the former Watford captain added.

If United ignore Deeney’s advice and continue their recruitment efforts for Gyokeres, they will be forced to sell a number of players to comply with Profit and Sustainability Regulations.

While Marcus Rashford could be sold for just £40 million at a discounted price in the January transfer window, it is claimed that Joshua Zirkzee will leave Old Trafford early in the summer transfer window.

The biggest decision will be made on the future of young Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, for whom United paid £72 million last year and whom the 21-year-old believes can lead the team’s attack in the long term.

Hojlund has taken time to convince Amorim that he is up to the task but he has now scored six goals in his last five games and is expected to start Sunday’s derby against Man City.