The Red Devils have struggled in the Premier League, sitting 14th with just four teams scoring fewer goals this season. Their current forwards, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, have faced criticism, managing only four and three league goals respectively.

United's manager, Ruben Amorim, has addressed speculation linking Gyokeres, who has scored an astonishing 52 goals in 48 matches for Sporting this season, to a move to Old Trafford. Amorim, who previously coached Gyokeres at Sporting, emphasised the need for players fully committed to the club's vision.

"I didn't talk to him," Amorim said of Gyokeres. "But if a player only wants to come to Manchester United to play Champions League, then he won't come. We want players who want to represent United, not players who want to play certain competitions."

Amorim also defended his current squad, highlighting the potential of his young forwards. "Our focus is to help our players that we have," he said. "Rasmus scored one goal in the last game. You can see that Rasmus has the talent, Josh has the talent, Chido has the talent. We have to improve the players, but to improve them individually, we have to improve the way we perform."

He acknowledged the team's lack of goals, adding, "We have a clear lack of goals, and that has cost us a lot of points this season."

Recent reports suggest United are confident of securing Gyokeres, with some sources claiming the deal is nearly finalised, potentially for 65-70 million euros plus add-ons.

However, Gyokeres has reportedly expressed a preference for clubs like Arsenal, who are likely to offer Champions League football, a factor that could complicate United's pursuit.

United's recent performances have shown flashes of brilliance, notably a thrilling comeback against Lyon in the Europa League, where they scored three goals in extra time to reach the semi-finals.

Amorim described the victory as a "special moment" but cautioned that consistency remains elusive. "Everybody knows when you play at Old Trafford, something special can happen," he said. "But then in the next game against Wolves, we created a lot of situations and didn't score, and that confidence came down a little bit."

Looking ahead, United face a tough Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, a team Amorim praised for their intensity and defensive solidity. "They are really strong as a team, really aggressive," he said.

"They have great players like Nico Williams, and they are the best defence in Spain. We are not scoring too many goals, so it's going to be a tough match for us."

As the summer transfer window approaches, United's pursuit of Gyokeres will be a storyline to watch. Amorim's insistence on signing players passionate about the club's badge could define their recruitment strategy and their hopes of returning to the Premier League's elite.

Relebohile Mofokeng on trial with Wolves