MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim to become their new manager.
The Athletic claims talks have intensified on Monday evening, just hours after United brutally sacked Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United are nearing a deal to make Ruben Amorim their new boss
United sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday
And it’s believed Amorim has already verbally agreed to take charge at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils appearing to beat rivals Man City to his signature.
Ten Hag was given his marching orders after Sunday’s dismal defeat at West Ham.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in charge as interim United boss ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Leicester.
But he may not get a go against Chelsea in the league next Sunday, with Sporting boss Amorim firmly in Ineos’ sights.
It’s reckoned Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co are deep in talks with the tactician, who has won two titles in the Portuguese capital.
And Amorim has already given the green light to a stunning deal which could yet see him in charge for Wednesday’s game against Leicester.
Former midfielder Amorim, 39, is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.
He had been tipped as Pep Guardiola’s potential replacement at Man City should the Spaniard leave next summer.
Dubbed the Special One 2.0, Amorim also had an internship at Man Utd under Mourinho in 2018, and has previously cited the Special One as his “reference point” in coaching.
The champs raided Sporting earlier this month for footy chief Hugo Viana, who starts his new role in 2025.
And many saw it as an indication that Amorim had been selected by City to eventually take charge following Guardiola’s exit.
It’s not the first English job Amorim has been linked with, as SunSport revealed he was targeted by Chelsea in 2023 before Mauricio Pochettino took charge.
Amorim was then tipped as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp when the German announced he would be quitting Liverpool earlier this year.
And in April, Amorim sensationally jetted to London for talks with West Ham before calling their contact “a mistake.”
Sporting would be reluctant to see the ace leave, with Amorim transforming their fortunes on the pitch following his arrival in 2020.
But United are willing to pay £8m to prise him from his contract in Portugal and bring him to Old Trafford to spearhead Ratcliffe’s revolution.
Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Amorim was asked by local media whether he would be interested in taking the Red Devils job.
Amorim gave a coy answer, saying: “I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment. I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”
It’s unclear if Amorim will be sidelined for Sporting’s match against Nacional in the Portuguese Cup tomorrow night.
With just two losses during the season and 96 goals scored, Sporting easily won the championship last year.
And with nine victories from nine in the new season, they are presently leading the field. They have also scored 30 goals and given up only two goals.
