Portuguese media tear into Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool as international row breaks out

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A Portuguese media outlet has criticised Manchester United , Arsenal, and Liverpool for the failure of several recent Premier League signings from Portugal. English football’s love affair with Portugal began two decades ago with the arrival of two men who would go on to become gargantuan figures in the sport - Jose Mourinho from Porto and Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting CP.

The pair’s success at Chelsea and United, respectively, cultivated a new level of interest in both players and coaches plying their trade in the Iberian nation. A multitude of impressive talents have followed in their footsteps by making the journey from Portugal to English shores since, from Ricardo Carvalho and Nani in the noughties to Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes , Bernardo Silva and Wolves ’ famous link to the country.

While many have succeeded, it’s fair to say there have also been those who have failed to light up the Premier League, especially in more recent years. That appears to be slowly giving way to the idea that players who impress in the Primeira Liga don’t necessarily translate well to the more physically demanding and competitive Premier League, something the Dutch Eredivisie has also been accused of in the past.

Now, an article by Portuguese publication A Bola , written by a journalist named Joao Pimpim, says the love affair is in danger of ending due to this rising belief. Three recent cases - Ruben Amorim, Viktor Gyokeres and Darwin Nunez - were offered as examples.

Amorim restored Portuguese side Sporting to their former glory and was fast becoming one of the most coveted managers in the game when United appointed him in November 2024, splashing millions to end his contract and bring him to Old Trafford sooner.

Yet, his results faltered, his tactics were constantly scrutinised, and he was sacked just 14 months later last week. His star striker at Sporting was Gyokeres, who scored the most goals last year in Europe and completed his own headline-grabbing £64million transfer to Arsenal last summer. But the striker has been a shadow of his former self in north London, scoring just one goal from open play in his last 15 top-flight appearances.

Preceding both highly anticipated moves was the extraordinary case of Nunez. Regarded as one of the best forward talents in the world at Benfica, he was signed by Liverpool for £64m in June 2022 but spent three seasons looking lost at Anfield before his move to Al-Hilal last summer.

Whether justified or not, all three have been branded flops by the media and fans, while the likes of Joao Felix, formerly of Chelsea, have also suffered a similar fate.

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However, the A Bola article has now pointed the finger back at English clubs for their involvement in those figures failing, rather than a lack of ability or talent.

The key line from the piece reads: “It gives pause for thought, yes, but when there are stars shining at the highest level, such as Joao Neves, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao, is the problem with the selling market or... the buyers?”

The players listed are all thriving at their respective clubs, PSG and AC Milan, who are both currently second in their domestic leagues. And the argument might well be justified.

Amorim is just the latest in a long run of United managers (there have been 12 with Michael Carrick's appointment) to be brought in to steady the ship post Sir Alex Ferguson , only for their tenures to end in tears. With the chaos from top to bottom at the club, it is somewhat harsh to blame Amorim, though his man management and tactical rigidity rightly raised eyebrows.

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On the other hand, Nunez admirably and relentlessly worked to receive the ball in good positions for Liverpool, only to miss far more chances than he put away. Even so, he played his part in a title-winning campaign.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, has been given plenty of minutes by Mikel Arteta , but the team has largely refused to play to his strengths, with the striker rarely being played through on goal and losing confidence as a result.

Time will tell whether the Gunners star will leave the Premier League before realising his potential like the aforementioned duo, though patience is already wearing thin and team-mates Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are ready to take his position back.