Viktor Gyokeres had three words for Ruben Amorim after he reduced team-mates to tears

Viktor Gyokeres insisted there were "no hard feelings" when Ruben Amorim abandoned Sporting CP halfway through last season.

Amorim swapped the Jose Alvalade Stadium for Old Trafford in November last year while Sporting remained at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Gyokeres was left to spearhead the team without the manager who had brought him to the club and, despite an unsettled period initially, helped the side defend their league title and won the Taca de Portugal.

Last month, Gyokeres followed his former manager to the Premier League, but decided to join Arsenal over Amorim's Manchester United. The Swedish forward's £64million transfer fee means he arrives with enormous expectations to deliver under Mikel Arteta as the Gunners hope to improve upon their second-placed finish across the previous three campaigns.

As if Gyokeres’ debut coming on Sunday against United at Old Trafford wasn’t enough pressure, all eyes will be on his performance against the team and manager he essentially rejected.

Amorim will be well aware of the danger the 27-year-old possesses, as Gyokeres netted his first goal in an Arsenal jersey during the pre-season victory over Athletic Club last weekend.

And to make the two English titans’ 2025/26 Premier League opener even more fascinating, United have since signed former Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko. There is likely to be a warm embrace between Amorim and Gyokeres despite some Sporting players being upset by the manner of his departure last autumn.

After United paid £11m to trigger his release clause, the 40-year-old head coach did not officially begin work at Old Trafford until 11 days later, staying with the Portuguese club to oversee matches against Estrela, Manchester City in the Champions League and Braga.

Following a 4-2 comeback victory in his final match against Braga, wing-back Geny Catamo revealed to Bar Da Liga the players were distraught that their manager was leaving after such a momentous victory, saying: "We were all celebrating in the locker room when he came in and announced he was indeed going to Manchester United. We were sad and cried. Most players cried. I believe I was one of those who cried the most that day."

Gyokeres, whilst acknowledging his disappointment upon learning the news, said he held no grudge against the manager’s decision to leave in an interview with SIC earlier this year.

The striker explained: "Of course, it was something that we, as a group of players, didn't want. Obviously, like you said, we were flying and winning every game in the league and doing well in the Champions League, too.

"It was a sad moment, but we totally understood his decision and there were no hard feelings. We spoke to him. Everything was very clear and there were no hard feelings.

"It was a difficult moment, but I think we all played a lot of games over a long period and then that kind of thing can happen. We've also changed coaches twice, we've had three different coaches.

"Then you can change the way you train or the amount of training and of course that can affect the body. Yes, we tried to take the best out of the situation, it was a hard period, but we got through it and still finished top of the league."

Despite those comments from Gyokeres, his agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, had previously stated Amorim was the main reason his client joined Sporting two summers ago. Cetinkaya also explained that several Premier League clubs were keen on signing the Swedish international last summer following his exceptional breakthrough season, but Gyokeres chose to remain due to Amorim staying.

His soft stance on Amorim's departure may have also subtly hinted that he was already planning his own exit, while his more distraught team-mates knew they'd be staying put. That, along with his agent's remarks, means it's no surprise that he too decided to depart this summer. Sunday's clash provides the perfect opportunity for both Amorim and Gyokeres to prove a point to each other.

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