Ruben Amorim confirms Manchester United approach but nothing is finalized yet

Manchester United is eyeing Ruben Amorim as their potential new manager following the recent departure of Erik ten Hag. Amorim, currently coaching Sporting Lisbon in Liga Portugal, has acknowledged contact from Manchester United but has yet to make a decision on his future. The Red Devils are looking to appoint the Portuguese manager to turn around their season after a disappointing start under Ten Hag.

"Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet," the Portuguese coach said, reported by sports daily A Bola.

39-year-old former Portugal midfielder is high on the ranks of Manchester United as they see him as a long-term successor at the club. The board has sanctioned a move to bring him from Sporting Lisbon where he has thrived in recent years. Amorim has won two league titles while finishing runners-up in the Portuguese FA Cup.

The United board wants their latest target to join as early as this weekend when the Red Devils face Chelsea in the Premier League. A reported sum of $10mn could be paid in compensation to acquire the services of Amorim, whom the Premier League side looks to put behind a poor start to the season.

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Currently working as the head coach of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, Amorim has Manchester United connections having completed his managerial internship at Old Trafford during Jose Mourinho’s managerial reign. A former Benfica star, 39-year-old Amorim played the majority of his club football in his native Portugal before hanging his boots and moving into management in 2018. He also represented Portugal at the international level, earning 14 caps and playing at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Sporting won the 2020-21 and 2023-24 league titles and are flying high under his stewardship in the 2024-25 season.