Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford is always a big game. But this time, there is an even bigger story behind it. Arsenal’s new striker Viktor Gyokeres will face his old Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, who is now in charge of United.
This clash is not just about three points. It is about loyalty, choices, and football destiny.
Gyokeres was one of the brightest stars under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon. Together, they won titles and made history. Many fans thought it was only a matter of time before the Swedish striker followed his manager to Manchester United.
But things did not turn out that way. Instead, Gyokeres shocked everyone when he signed for Arsenal. He will now make his debut against the very coach who helped him rise to stardom.
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So why did he turn down United? And what really happened between Amorim, his agent, and Manchester United?
Manchester United were very keen to sign him. They were ready to battle Arsenal for his signature. But Gyokeres made up his mind early.
He said: “There were other clubs, of course, but this wasn’t a hard choice. I chose Arsenal. When I was playing against Arsenal last season [in the Champions League], I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.”
“That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. It’s been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived.”
For Gyokeres, it was about the feeling, the history, and the fans. He felt Arsenal was the perfect home for him.
But the story has another layer. Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, was reportedly unhappy with Ruben Amorim.
Cetinkaya also represents Victor Lindelof, who spent eight years at Manchester United. Lindelof wanted to stay, but Amorim decided not to renew his contract. The defender left for free, even though he was ready to fight for his place.
Reports in Portugal said Cetinkaya was “hurt” by this decision. Some even claimed it closed the door for Gyokeres to move to Old Trafford.
Despite all the drama, Gyokeres has deep respect for Amorim. He was surprised, though, when the coach suddenly left Sporting Lisbon for Manchester United.
He said: “It was a shock. It’s never happened to me to see a manager leave in the middle of the season when everything was going well. It was surprising, but I totally understand his decision.”
The striker had great admiration for his former boss, but the timing left him stunned.
Amorim also spoke about the striker before. Back in April, when Gyokeres was linked with United, he sent a clear message.
He said: “I didn’t talk to Viktor. But if a player only wants to join Manchester United to play Champions League then that player will not come to Manchester United. We want players who want to represent United and not players who want to play only certain competitions.”
Those comments showed that Amorim only wanted players fully committed to the club, not just to big tournaments.
At Sporting, Gyokeres was unstoppable under Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. The coach was strict about his tactical style, but the striker flourished in it.
He said: “We won two championships in a row, for the first time in 71 years. It’s an incredible achievement, and of course, Ruben Amorim played a big role in that. I can’t thank him enough. The style of play we had under his orders suited me perfectly.”
That system brought the best out of him. It could have been the same story at United, but destiny had other plans.
Now, the reunion is set. Amorim will stand on the touchline at Old Trafford wearing United’s badge. Across from him, Gyokeres will wear Arsenal’s famous red and white shirt.
It is a reunion full of emotions. For Gyokeres, it is about showing he made the right choice. For Amorim, it is about proving that United can win even without his old star striker.
This game is more than football. It is a personal battle between two men whose paths crossed in Portugal but now clash in England.
Arsenal fans are excited. They believe Gyokeres will be the missing piece in Arteta’s attack. His words about the fans show how much the support already means to him.
He is motivated, inspired, and ready to deliver. Making his debut against United adds even more fuel to his fire.
United fans, on the other hand, may feel some frustration. They could have seen Gyokeres in their shirt, but now they must watch him play against them.
Still, Amorim has his own project at Old Trafford. He has Benjamin Sesko leading the line, and he is building a new future.
For them, this is the first test of how far they have come under their new boss.
Football is full of twists. Just a few months ago, Amorim and Gyokeres were celebrating titles together. Now they stand as rivals in one of the biggest matches in England.
The Arsenal striker turned down United because of history, fans, and feelings. His agent had his own issues with Amorim. And the coach made it clear that he only wanted players fully committed to Manchester United.
As Old Trafford prepares for this clash, all eyes will be on one story: Viktor Gyokeres against Ruben Amorim.
