Viktor Gyokeres hogged the headlines as Manchester United’s new boss Ruben Amorim claimed an early victory over Pep Guardiola in the Champions League.

But, while Sporting Lisbon’s talismanic centre-forward was the name on everybody’s lips as he dropped a hat-trick on Erling Haaland’s head, such a result, or a performance, would not have been possible without every single member of Ruben Amorim’s team playing to the peak of their powers.

Teenage winger Geovany Quenda justified Man United’s interest with another dazzling display on the right of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

Morten Hjulmand has been labelled ‘a younger version of Casemiro’, meanwhile, and held the fort like the Brazilian at his best at the base of the Sporting midfield. Manchester United are reportedly keen on the Dane too.

And Maximiliano Araujo would join Gyokeres on the scoresheet as he raced onto a well-timed Pedro ‘Pote’ Goncalves through ball before fizzing his finish through Ederson.

Maxi Araujo eyes Man City move as Manchester United land Ruben Amorim

Araujo’s emergence as one of Europe’s most in-form widemen is typical of the work Amorim did at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Erik ten Hag’s replacement has a habit of turning good players into great ones. Araujo was plying his trade back in Mexico with Deportivo Toluca only a few months ago.

And, when speaking to O Jogo this week, Araujo was asked about the prospect of following Amorim to England. Not with Man United, however, but with their sky-blue neighbours from the other side of the city.

“I hope so! I hope [I can join Manchester City],” Araujo says, sparking rumours when he was spotted taking a selfie with Guardiola after that meeting in the Portuguese capital.

“I asked him for a photo, we talked for a few minutes and he congratulated me. I’m very happy about that. [But] we talked about the game, nothing more.”

In truth, the left-wing spot is one of the areas in which Manchester United appear in relatively little need of reinforcement.

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are already competing for a starting berth on that flank, while Amorim’s duel-ten system could open the door for Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo or even Joshua Zirkzee to play as one of the facilitators behind a Gyokeres-like Rasmus Hojlund.

Amorim, meanwhile, has ruled out raiding Sporting’s coffers as early as January.

Man United’s newest head coach cannot promise that he will not look to reunite with a couple of trusted lieutenants later down the line, however, with the Portuguese admitting that the so-called ‘new Bruno Fernandes’ is someone Amorim would love to work with again.

Ruben Amorim opens United door to Sporting’s Pedro Goncalves

“Pote [Goncalves] has to focus on Sporting. Signings are not made because [I have already worked with] this or that player. It has to do with the team’s needs and style of play,” Amorim explained before Sunday’s 4-2 comeback win over Nacional.

“Pote can play for any team in the world with any coach in the world because he is a great player. He is not the most eye-catching player, but I repeat what I said; I could take Pote anywhere.

“He is funny, which helps a lot in personal relationships, and he is very intelligent. You saw his last game [in that Man City win], his ability to defend and attack. He is a great player.

“He has to focus on Sporting, because it is very important for us to be champions this year. But, speaking as Sporting’s coach, Pote can play for any team in the world.”

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