"It would be weird.." - Goncalo Ramos' comments on Darwin Nunez's Liverpool transfer resurface after hat-trick

Comments from Manchester United target Goncalo Ramos about Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez have re-emerged following his heroic hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland at the World Cup.

Ramos started Tuesday's last 16 match in place of Cristiano Ronaldo and made a huge impact, scoring three times in a 6-1 win for the Portuguese.

He is now being strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United reportedly considering a bid for the Benfica striker.

Should he move to English football, he would follow in the footsteps of his former Benfica teammate Nunez - who left the Portuguese club to join Liverpool in the summer.

In an interview with Mais Futebol, Ramos explained what it was like to play alongside Nunez and how is exit benefitted him.

"The position I prefer and represent best is the attack reference position, the spearhead. But last year I was asked to play in support of our striker, who was Darwin, and I like it too," said Ramos.

"Darwin's departure made room for me or someone else to play. It would be weird if I said no.

"Darwin scored 35 goals or something. It’s great now to have the opportunity to play the role I like the most."

Manchester United’s new striker?

Goncalo Ramos’ hat trick against Switzerland was a statement of his quality shown across the world, but the Benfica striker has been thriving in Portugal for some time.

This has led to a rumoured interest from United, who have reportedly been told that Benfica have set a €40 million price tag on their young talisman.

However, this was before Ramos’s performance against Switzerland, which will almost certainly increase his market value.

Manchester United could enter the striker market in January, with their release of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving them with just two players who can play the striker role in their squad - Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Nunez and Ramos – an impressive partnership

Despite Ramos playing a slightly different role, he and Nunez impressed at club level last season.

Nunez netted 34 goals in all competitions, whilst Ramos contributed with 8 goals and 4 assists.

Both players also found the net in the entertaining 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield last season.

Yet, Ramos’s numbers have increased in this campaign, scoring 14 and assisting 6 in just 21 club appearances this time round.

Topics: Benfica, Liverpool, Manchester United, Portugal, Football World Cup, Darwin Nunez

Alexander Duke