“You Already Have Someone Better”: Fabio Capello Questions Manchester United’s Gyökeres Chase
Manchester United’s summer striker hunt has hit the spotlight again—but this time, it’s not because of a new target. It’s because of a bold statement from legendary former England and AC Milan boss Fabio Capello, who’s thrown cold water on United’s high-profile pursuit of Viktor Gyökeres.
“I don’t know why you are trying to sign Gyökeres when you already have a striker that is better than him. He’s a Real Touch of Class if managed properly,”
– Fabio Capello
The comment has triggered serious debate across fan forums and pundit panels: who exactly is Capello talking about—and is he right?
🔍 The Mystery Man: Who’s “Better Than Gyökeres”?
Capello left fans guessing. He didn’t name the player, but several suspects stand out:
- Rasmus Højlund: The most likely candidate. Signed for big money, showed flashes of elite movement and finishing, but struggled for consistency in a chaotic season.
- Anthony Martial: Once seen as the heir to Thierry Henry, but now often injured and out of rhythm.
- Joshua Zirkzee: Talented, but peripheral and likely headed elsewhere.
Capello’s phrasing—“a real touch of class if managed properly”—strongly hints he’s referring to Højlund, a player many agree still has elite potential under the right guidance.
💣 Why Capello’s Claim Hits Hard
Capello isn’t bashing Viktor Gyökeres—in fact, he praises the Swede’s ability and calls him “a real talent.” But his message is clear:
- Why spend €70 million or more on a striker from Portugal…
- …when you already have a younger, faster, stronger version on your books?
It’s a challenge to United’s transfer philosophy: focus less on headlines and more on development.
⚔️ Gyökeres: Risk or Reward?
No one doubts Gyökeres’ numbers at Sporting CP—nearly 100 goals in 100 games, brutal in duels, quick in transitions, relentless in pressing. He’s built for Amorim’s system (having thrived under him already).
But—and it’s a big but—he’s untested in the Premier League.
Capello warns that a proven track record in Portugal doesn’t always translate to success in England. It’s a tougher league, with more physicality, tighter spaces, and faster defenders.
💷 Economics: Is €70M a Smart Use of Resources?
Capello argues that nurturing Højlund or another internal option would cost nothing, and the payoff could be even greater—if they’re backed, coached, and surrounded by stability.
It’s a sentiment gaining traction: not every problem is solved with a transfer.
🔁 Amorim Factor: A Complication
There’s one twist: Rúben Amorim, United’s new head coach, knows Gyökeres better than anyone. He helped polish the striker’s raw edges at Sporting. That chemistry could be critical.
So while Capello pushes for patience and internal development, Amorim may feel that bringing in a trusted soldier is key to his tactical rebuild.
🧠 Verdict: Who’s Right?
Capello makes a powerful case: if you’ve got a gem, polish it—don’t discard it for a new one. It’s a call to focus on coaching, not just spending.
But in football, timing matters. If Amorim believes Gyökeres can deliver today, while Højlund needs two more years… do United have the luxury of waiting?
⚖️ The Final Word
Fabio Capello’s outburst isn’t just a swipe—it’s a philosophical challenge to modern football thinking:
- Build vs. Buy
- Patience vs. Pressure
- Faith vs. Fear
In a post-Ferguson era defined by chaos and short-termism, United must now decide—back a project striker like Højlund, or go all in on Amorim’s man from Lisbon?
Whatever happens next, the debate Capello ignited won’t go away anytime soon.
