Sporting confirm Ruben Amorim will join Manchester United

Ruben Amorim is on the verge of becoming Manchester United’s next manager after Sporting Lisbon released a statement confirming the English club’s interest in their highly regarded head coach.

The Premier League giants entered discussions with Sporting after sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday, following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham the previous day.

In their statement, Sporting Lisbon’s Board of Directors outlined the terms of Amorim’s contract, including a release clause valued at £8.3million.

Man United have expressed an interest in activating this clause to secure Amorim’s services as quickly as possible.

Sporting Lisbon are set to face Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup later tonight, sparking speculation over Amorim’s involvement in the fixture.

In the buildup to the match, Amorim fielded questions regarding links to Manchester United in light of Ten Hag’s recent departure.

“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,” Amorim said on Monday.

“I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”

The fixture may mark Amorim’s final match in charge, as the Portuguese newspaper Record reports that the 39-year-old could travel to England on Wednesday.

Ruben Amorim, who speaks fluent English, is one of Europe’s most sought-after young managers and has been on Man United’s radar for some time.

Amorim has garnered praise in recent years for his exceptional work in the Portuguese capital.

He is known for his confidence and his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

He ended Sporting Club’s 19-year wait for a league title in the 2020-21 season and followed that success by winning the top flight again last year.

Man United were also considering former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic, who is currently available after leaving the German club this summer despite leading them to the Champions League final.

Terzic is also fluent in English and has been contacted regarding the position.

Ten Hag was dismissed following a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth at the Carrington training ground on Monday morning.

Man United plan to hire a head coach under their new structure, as opposed to a manager – a title that Ten Hag held and fiercely protected.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, appointed as one of Ten Hag’s assistants in July, has been placed in temporary charge as interim head coach until a permanent replacement is found.

The United players will train under Van Nistelrooy and assistant Rene Hake for the first time on Tuesday, ahead of their Carabao Cup last-16 match against Leicester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

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