Manchester United is actively pursuing Ruben Amorim as their next manager, although the Sporting Lisbon coach has said, “Nothing is decided yet.”
As United prepares for their first match after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal—a League Cup game against Leicester at Old Trafford—Amorim, aged 39, is emerging as the top choice to fill the vacancy.
Manchester United terminated ten Hag’s contracts on Monday following a 2-1 defeat against West Ham, which left them 14th in the Premier League standings. Amorim quickly rose to the top of the candidate list to succeed him. Sporting confirmed to the Lisbon stock exchange on Tuesday that United is prepared to meet the 10-million-euro release clause for Amorim.
While Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that Amorim’s transfer to Old Trafford was a “done deal,” Sporting has remained silent on further developments. When asked whether his recent League Cup victory over Nacional might be his last match with Sporting, Amorim responded ambiguously, saying, “Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet.”
Despite substantial spending in the transfer market, ten Hag’s poor start to the season led to his departure. Manchester United has managed only one win in their last eight games across all competitions.
Ruud van Nistelrooy currently serves as the interim manager, but Amorim, one of Europe’s leading young coaches, is the preferred candidate for the permanent managerial position. Since joining Sporting in March 2020, the former Portuguese international midfielder has won two Portuguese league titles.
Amorim also emerged as a candidate for the managerial position at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp announced his departure. He had discussions with West Ham earlier this year before they chose Julen Lopetegui.
Should Manchester United appoint Amorim, he would be among the youngest managers in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has expressed support for younger managers, noting, “Knowledge is knowledge. If you are able, it doesn’t matter… What’s important is talent. If you are good, age doesn’t matter.”
Van Nistelrooy has expressed regret over Ten Hag’s exit from the matchday program, describing it as an honour to manage the club he loves for as long as needed.
The new manager at United will take over a squad largely assembled by Ten Hag, which includes high-cost players who have not lived up to expectations. Notably, Antony, the Brazilian forward purchased for nearly £90 million from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax in 2022, has only scored 12 goals in 87 appearances.
Despite the team’s struggles this season, Ten Hag insisted he deserved recognition for his achievements, including winning the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup a year later. He believed winning trophies was essential, aligning with fan and club expectations.
