Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is expected to become the new Manchester United manager in the coming days.
Ruben Amorim is set to become the new Manchester United manager (Image: GETTY)
Ruben Amorim has spoken out on his strong links to the vacant Manchester United job with the Portuguese tactician expected to replace Erik ten Hag in the coming days.
Amorim coached Sporting to a 3-1 win over Nacional in the Taca de Liga quarter-finals on Tuesday night. It is likely to be his final match in charge of the Primeira Liga giants with whom he has won two league titles as a manager.
But the 39-year-old, who was also in talks with Liverpool last summer, refused to confirm whether or not he will make the switch to Old Trafford post-match.
"Nothing is decided yet… I don't know if it's the farewell game or not," he said to Portuguese TV after Viktor Gyokeres scored twice from the bench in the cup victory.
He added in his post-match press conference: "I have nothing more to say, we are analysing the game and anything I say will only create more noise.
"I don't want to fuel this issue. There is the club's statement to the CMVM, apart from that we don't know the details yet, we'll see... I have always taken responsibility for my decisions and I will be here to do so, but when I am sure of things it will be easier.
"Manchester United is interested. But it's my choice. Until everything is decided, we won't be making any noise. I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done.
"What I know is that I will be at training tomorrow and I will prepare for the game against Estrela da Amadora."
Amorim has overseen 228 matches at Sporting, winning 162 of them. United are hopeful that they can bring him to the Premier League in time for Sunday's Old Trafford showdown with Chelsea.
But in the meantime, former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been installed as interim boss and will be in the dugout for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie at home to Leicester.
Sporting confirmed in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that United have been in contact with them over their head coach.
It read: "1. Manchester United FC expressed interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, with the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically for the respective termination clause and for the amount of Euro 10,000,000.00;
"2. Manchester United FC expressed interest in paying Sporting SAD the value of the aforementioned clause."
That means any deal to appoint Amorim will cost United least £8.3million. INEOS are also likely to pay to bring in some of the former Portugal international midfielder's assistant coaches from the Lisbon outfit.
Asked about his release clause, Amorim added: "I'm not going to talk about my contract, it's a matter between me and Sporting.
"All the clauses that exist in a contract are included by the employer and the employee. What I can say is that the statement contains all the necessary information.
"Before the statement was released, I explained to the players everything that was happening. There is nothing more to say."
Sporting striker Gyokeres, who had been linked with a move to Old Trafford even before the speculation surrounding Amorim, said of his manager's future: "He's here now. It's not something I know, it's not about me.
"We are focused, it is not something I know and for the moment he is here... we will see what happens."
While Pep Guardiola has also offered his support to Amorim, with whom he will lock horns in the Champions League next week if United have not got a deal done before then.
The Manchester City boss said: "All I can talk about is I played twice against Ruben and his Sporting team and the pressure was really, really good.
"I spoke with Matheus Nunes who was his player and he spoke highly about him. This season he's unbeaten or winning all the games in the Portuguese league, the Champions League they have the same points with us.
"I have the feeling, Man Utd, what I hear is thinking about him, because he's a good manager.
"Man Utd want managers at that level. All the managers they've had in the last five, six, seven years, we cannot say they are not able to be at Man Utd. What's going to happen, I don't know.
"What happens here with my experience, doesn't mean it happens with the other ones because the manager is the team, the club, the structure, the physios, the doctors, the players, it's many things.
"What happened here, doesn't mean it's going to happen at other places."
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...

Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...

Marcus Rashford is targeting a club playing in the Champions League for his next move, a source has told ESPN.The forward, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, is set to delay a decision on his future until after the end of the season.Villa have an agreement with United to make his loan move permanent for a £40 million ($53m) fee, although a source has told ESPN that they are yet to...

The sport award ceremony took place in Madrid and there were some familiar winners on show.Thiago Alcantara and his wife Julia Vigas stunned on the red carpetHigh jumper Mondo Duplantis and Simone Biles scooped the top prizes of Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.While Lamine Yamal was named the breakthrough star and Team GB's Tom Pidcock won Action Sportsperson of the Year after claiming gold ...

Bayern are set to resume talks with SanePer Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich are all set to resume contract talks with star winger Leroy Sane's representatives as they are determined to extend the player's contract. Bayern chief Max Eberl is reportedly willing to offer a deal that runs until 2028, and the total pay package for the player will be in the region of €14–16 mi...

Liverpool have turned their attention to new contract talks following agreements with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, sources have told Football Insider.Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O'Rourke revealed that the futures of Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota will be the next to be decided at Anfield.The star trio have al...

Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...

Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...

Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...

Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...



- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga