Ruben Amorim has verbally agreed to join Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, talkSPORT understands.
Amorim is United’s top target after sacking Erik ten Hag and, as reported on Monday morning, the club are willing to pay compensation for his successor.
Double Portuguese title winner Amorim has an £8.3million release clause in his contract.
talkSPORT understands members of the United hierarchy sounded out Amorim last week and are aiming to tie up the appointment swiftly.
Amorim is eyed as one of football’s best up and coming coaches and was previously linked with Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham.
READ MORE ON MANCHESTER UNITED
He has also recently emerged as a potential contender for the job at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola has entered the final year of his contract at the club.
However, United’s agreement with Amorim is a big indication that Guardiola could sign for another year at City.
Amorim, who was also a speculated name for West Ham in the summer, started his managerial career at Portuguese side Casa Pia in 2018.
He then went on to join Braga before making the switch to Sporting in 2020 and won Liga Portgual the following season.
Sporting were crowned champions again in the 2023/24 campaign, with two Taca da Liga titles also coming their way with Amorim.
The 39-year-old currently has the club sitting first in the Portuguese top flight so far this season thanks to a 100 per cent record from nine games.
They are also eighth in the Champions League league phase table with two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures.
4
4
United have parted ways with Ten Hag just months after his deal at the club was extended to 2026.
The Dutchman won the Carabao Cup in his first season and the FA Cup in his second but has now departed Old Trafford.
Last season saw the Red Devils come eighth in the league, the club’s worst ever finish in the Premier League era.
This term they made their worst ever start in the Premier League era as they amassed just eight points from their opening seven matches.
Man United have also looked shaky in the Europa League having drawn all three of their matches, which have come against FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce.
Amorim is not the only name to have been linked with the United vacancy, with Brentford’s Thomas Frank admired.
Eddie Howe of Newcastle used to work at the club with sporting director Dan Ashworth, who now operates in Manchester.
4
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is also of interest, and former Barcelona manager Xavi held talks regarding a move.
But Man United legend Paul Scholes is worried the club may have missed the boat with regards to the ideal permanent successor to Ten Hag, suggesting they should have got now England boss Thomas Tuchel.
“I don’t see Gareth Southgate as Manchester United manager. I think they need an elite coach who has won stuff in the game before,” Scholes told talkSPORT on Monday.
“I thought Thomas Tuchel was perfect for Manchester United. When I saw the news about him break I was nearly sick to my stomach because I thought he could’ve been the man to take Man United.
“He’s won big games, been at Bayern Munich and PSG. I think he has the stature…”
“Zidane might be one to think about but I just don’t think he’ll be desperate to get to England.”
