Rúben Amorim downplays Gyökeres after defeat to Arsenal: “He’s just another player”
Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim dismissed any special focus on former Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League opener at Old Trafford.
Amorim Keeps Focus on United
Speaking after the match, Amorim was asked about facing the Swedish forward, who played under him at Sporting Lisbon before joining Arsenal. The Portuguese coach was quick to shift attention back to his own team.
“Gyökeres? He’s just another player. He was on the other side on Sunday. I don’t care about Viktor [laughs]. I just want to win our game, and that’s it,” Amorim said, in comments reported by A Bola and Notícias ao Minuto.
Still, he acknowledged the striker’s quality: “I think he’ll adapt very well to England. He’s a very good player, a very good guy. But he’s just another opponent for us.”
Pressure After Opening-Day Defeat
Amorim stressed that his main concern is improving United’s performance after a frustrating debut loss. “We have to understand what each player can offer in their position, but the focus has to be on my team,” he added.
The Red Devils dominated possession but failed to break down Arsenal’s defense, with goalkeeper David Raya denying multiple chances. The defeat has already increased the pressure on Amorim, who was appointed in the summer to restore United’s competitiveness.
Next Steps for Manchester United
United will return to action next Sunday (24) against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Amorim is expected to make adjustments in attack, with new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely to remain central to his plans.
The Portuguese coach’s approach makes clear that, while reunions with former players may draw headlines, his priority is solely on shaping Manchester United into a title contender.
