It’s not an easy decision to say ‘no’ to Manchester United, but Geovany Quenda did that to secure a move to Chelsea that was agreed in 2025.
Several Sporting CP players were suddenly linked with a move to Manchester United after Ruben Amorim became head coach in November 2024.
Viktor Gyokeres was the talisman in Lisbon at the time, having emerged as a top goalscorer in Europe under Amorim, but the Swede signed for Arsenal last summer. It had been suggested for months that Amorim wanted to take the 27-year-old to Old Trafford.
United have been linked with other Sporting CP players, too. The list includes Goncalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande, Morten Hjulmand, and Pedro Goncalves.
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However, United appear to be focusing on targets with Premier League experience after securing deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the summer.
It remains to be seen if Amorim will be able to convince Ineos to sign any of the players he managed during his time in Portugal. United have yet to do that, despite previously allowing Erik ten Hag to spend heavily on players he worked with at Ajax.
Enzo Maresca sacking could lead to Man Utd regret for Geovany Quenda
After watching Gyokeres at Arsenal this season, Amorim may think to himself that it would be best to avoid some of the stars that thrived under his management at Sporting CP.
Gyokeres has scored more goals in the Premier League than Benjamin Sesko, but his performances warrant criticism, having returned to England with such a big reputation. Those doubts will be buried if the Swede can turn the heat on for the remainder of the season by guiding Arsenal to the title.
Another player linked to United from Sporting CP following Amorim’s arrival was Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda, who was tipped as a potential wing-back option for the Red Devils before deciding to commit his future to Chelsea.
Chelsea completed the double signing of Sporting midfielders Quenda and Dario Essugo for a combined fee of £62.4 million.
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Quenda, who is not set to link up with Chelsea until the summer of 2026, has remained at Sporting to gain senior experience. His arrival at Stamford Bridge was dealt a blow this week following the news that Chelsea had sacked Enzo Maresca as manager.
In March 2025, after a deal had been agreed between Chelsea and Sporting, it was widely reported that Quenda snubbed United based on wanting to play as a winger under Maresca, as per the Manchester Evening News. This was a response to claims that Amorim saw the 18-year-old as a prospect option at wing-back.
Quenda’s plan to arrive at Chelsea later this year and play on the wing under Maresca has been binned with a managerial change set to take place at the London club.
Now, the Portuguese youngster is arriving at a club and doesn’t know if the incoming manager will fancy him.
There is a good chance Quenda will regret his decision to sign for Chelsea because their recruitment strategy seems to be loading their squad with promising youngsters at a hefty price.
Meanwhile, at United, Amorim is persisting with wing-backs, and he’s used Patrick Dorgu as a winger in recent games against Newcastle and Wolves.
Quenda would have had a much clearer pathway into the first team had he signed for United. Only time will tell if he will truly regret his decision not to unite with Amorim at Old Trafford.
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Geovany Quenda stats for Sporting CP
Quenda is still a new prospect at Sporting CP and his rise to prominence came after Amorim left Lisbon for Manchester.
That said, United were paying close attention to Quenda before he opted to sign for Chelsea.
Quenda has made 22 appearances for Sporting this term.
The winger has five goals and eight assists for his efforts, which shows that he is backing up the potential he showed at the senior level last season.
It remains to be seen if Quenda will play a key role at Chelsea next season or if the new manager will have other plans in mind.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/1JbYpnC