Incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has ruled out pursuing players from Sporting Lisbon in the January transfer window.

Amorim is set to join United on 11 November, having signed a contract that runs until June 2027, to succeed Erik ten Hag. The 39-year-old has two remaining matches as Sporting’s manager before then, with the Portuguese club requiring him to serve a brief notice period prior to his departure.

Although he is currently preparing for Sporting’s Champions League clash against Manchester City on Tuesday, Amorim already has his sights on shaping the United squad. He aims to develop the team in his own style but admits he won’t be able to bring in Sporting’s top players in the next transfer window.

Among European clubs, United are interested in Viktor Gyokeres, who has already scored 20 goals this season. However, Amorim is well aware of the high price Sporting has set for the Swedish international.

“I won’t be taking any players from Sporting in January,” he admitted. “Gyokeres costs €100 million, and that makes things very challenging.”

Former Coventry City and Brighton striker Gyokeres has already addressed speculation about a potential move to Old Trafford alongside his manager. He said, “Joining Amorim at Manchester United? I’m not sure – I’m here. I really enjoy being here; it’s not something I think about. I’m happy here, though I’m saddened by his departure. We wish him all the best.”

Amorim will need to accelerate his plans for United, having revealed on Friday evening that he initially wanted to stay at Sporting until the season’s end before joining the club. “The only request I made was to wait until the end of the season, but they told me that wasn’t possible; it was now or never,” he explained.

Gyokeres is undoubtedly the most prominent player Amorim might wish to bring to Old Trafford. The 26-year-old striker boasts 20 goals in 16 games this season, having scored four goals last Friday, and has netted 63 goals in 66 matches for Sporting overall.

Sporting managed to fend off interest from rival clubs over the summer, with Gyokeres’ €100 million (£84 million) release clause proving effective. Nevertheless, they understand they cannot retain him indefinitely, particularly as Gyokeres has ambitious career aspirations.

“The release clause was likely set a bit high, as nothing materialised,” Gyokeres told Sport Bladet in September. “Of course, it’s a considerable sum. But we’ll see what happens next window… I’m thoroughly enjoying myself at Sporting and have no complaints, so I’m in no rush. Naturally, you aim to test yourself in other leagues and at a higher level, but there’s no pressure.”

Amorim has also been linked with other Sporting players, whom he has guided to two league titles since 2020. Centre-backs Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inácio, club captain Morten Hjulmand, and youngster Geovany Quenda have all featured in recent reports.