Ruben Amorim is expected to join Manchester United . (Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been tight-lipped over the club’s move to appoint Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese coach is the leading contender to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday following the club’s dismal start to the campaign.
United have expressed an interest in paying Amorim’s £8.3m release clause but the move has been delayed due to Sporting demanding around £4.5m for his backroom staff.
There is a further complication in that Amorim’s release clause includes a 30-day notice period, which means he therapeutically could have to wait until December to manage United.
But, leaving Old Trafford after Ruud van Nistelrooy guided the club to a 5-2 win against Leicester City in the EFL Cup during his first game as interim manager, INEOS and United director Sir Dave Brailsford appeared to let slip that a deal for Amorim has been completed.
Brailsford was leaving the stadium when he was probed by supporters for an update on the club’s pursuit of Amorim.
Brailsford replied: ‘Yeah it’s done. It’s done.’
United fans must now wait for an official announcement but it could be that Amorim’s first game in charge is on November 24th against Ipswich.
Sporting want him to remain in Lisbon for the next three matches.
That would see Van Nistelrooy take charge of matches against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester City.
It’s unclear whether the Dutchman would retain a position within Amorim’s coaching set-up.
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