RUBEN AMORIM has been told the solution to his goalscoring gremlins is a man once written off as an Everton flop — by his own fans.
Guinea-Bissau striker Beto took so long to adapt following his £26million move from Udinese that he was steadily becoming a Prem laughing stock.
Even when David Moyes’ return to Goodison finally ignited his career, many Toffees supporters remained unconvinced.
Yet for all the sneers and cynics, one man reckons Beto would actually be the perfect partner for £62.5m signing Matheus Cunha as Amorim plans a new-look strike force at Manchester United.
The Old Trafford gaffer has so far failed in attempts for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Viktor Gyokeres from his old club Sporting and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
But Amorim should forget about chasing Europe’s most-wanted hitmen — because the answer is just 35 miles away, down the M62.
Fernando Lopes is the president of Portuguese amateurs Uniao Tires — where Beto made his footballing breakthrough — and he saw first-hand the star’s talent.
Lopes insists the Lisbon-born forward should actually have been ahead of Gyokeres on Amorim’s wish list from the off — as he has already proved himself in the Premier League.
He explained: “Everyone thought Amorim would sign Gyokeres as he had him at Sporting but the Premier League is completely different to Portugal.
“Teams are more physical and compact at the back, it is quicker and more competitive.
“Gyokeres would struggle to play as a lone No 9 waiting for service.
“Beto’s a more physical player, who fights with defenders and doesn’t lose duels.
“He is a real headache for opponents — if he gets the service.
“In their golden era, United always scored a lot of goals from set-pieces but haven’t had a proper striker for many seasons.
“Nowadays, teams have small, quick strikers or a false forward because there is an obsession for possession of the ball.
“Beto represents the typical old style, because of his physique, power and work-rate — plus he is very fast.
“When Moyes went to Everton he showed what a handful he is for defenders to stop.
“He’d be like Amorim’s ace up his sleeve in a game of poker.”
After taking 35 games to hit four Prem goals under Sean Dyche — the man who signed him — he matched that tally in just five when Moyes returned.
And Lopes reckons the grit he showed to silence the Goodison cynics would soon win over the doubters if he joined United.
He said: “One of Beto’s attributes is the fighting spirit first injected at Tires. He has had the attitude of never giving up since he was a boy.
“I’d love to see him in a more attacking team because if he has the service, he will definitely score around 20.
“His physicality would be a tremendous advantage for United and he’s so quick that you have to foul him to stop him.
“I know some will say my head is ruling my heart but for me he is the most effective choice for United — and I know the fans would love him.”
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