As soon as Rúben Amorim took over as Manchester United’s manager, speculation grew rapidly about which of his former Sporting CP players might follow him to Old Trafford.
Predictably, several names have since emerged in transfer talks — including Viktor Gyökeres, Morten Hjulmand, Gonçalo Inácio, and Ousmane Diomande.
Even though Amorim previously said he wouldn’t consider raiding his old club, reality seems to be shifting as certain players express a strong interest in working with him again.
Among them, Ousmane Diomande appears to be leading the charge. Reports from Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã suggest that the 20-year-old Ivorian centre-back is pushing for a move to Manchester United, despite ongoing negotiations between Sporting and Crystal Palace.
Diomande has reportedly made it known that his preference is to reunite with Amorim — a manager under whom he flourished in the Portuguese league.
His understanding of Amorim’s tactical approach, particularly the 3-4-2-1 system, could be key in making a seamless transition into the Premier League.
While strengthening the centre-back position isn’t an urgent priority for United this summer — especially given their budget concerns — the potential to sign a high-quality, system-ready defender like Diomande has sparked internal discussions.
His release clause currently stands at €80 million, but Sporting may be willing to negotiate a deal closer to €50 million, a price that could draw United back into the mix if other moves fall into place.
However, United aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. If a deal for Diomande doesn’t materialize, the club has set its sights on Gonçalo Inácio as a backup option.
The 22-year-old Portuguese international, who also played a key role under Amorim, is valued slightly lower than Diomande and comes with a €60 million release clause.
As a left-footed centre-back — a rare profile in the United squad aside from Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw — Inácio could offer both balance and ball progression from deep areas.
Inácio is regarded for his composure, passing range, and tactical intelligence, making him an ideal fit for Amorim’s style of football.
Reports indicate Sporting may accept slightly below the release clause for Inácio, which could make him a more financially viable signing.
Ultimately, both defenders are being considered not just for their individual talent, but because of their familiarity with Amorim’s methods.
This indicates that United’s recruitment under Amorim may be driven by tactical fit as much as reputation — and with Sporting players showing eagerness to follow their former boss, Old Trafford could soon become home to more than one Lisbon export.
