Ruben Amorim emerges as top contender for hot seat at Man Utd

Manchester United is actively pursuing Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as a potential successor to Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed on Monday following a disappointing start to the season.

The club’s board is reportedly impressed by Amorim's track record, which includes two Portuguese league titles since his appointment in 2020, notably ending Sporting's 19-year wait for the championship.

While discussions regarding Amorim's potential move to Old Trafford are ongoing, the specifics of these negotiations remain unclear.

The club has yet to confirm if other candidates are still being considered, although Amorim appears to be the frontrunner for the managerial position.

At a press conference on Monday, Amorim acknowledged the speculation surrounding the Manchester United role but refrained from commenting further.

“I was expecting a question about the Manchester United job, but I am not prepared to talk about it,” he stated, maintaining his focus on his current responsibilities at Sporting.

In the interim, Manchester United has appointed Ten Hag's assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, to lead the team temporarily.

However, the club has not specified how long he will serve in this role or if he will manage the squad during the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Leicester City on Wednesday.

The club has also confirmed that Van Nistelrooy will not hold a pre-match press conference.

The financial implications of compensating both Ten Hag and a new head coach have been discussed, yet sources familiar with the club’s finances suggest that this hurdle may not be a significant barrier.

Amorim's contract with Sporting, which extends until June 2026, may complicate matters, especially given that the Portuguese club paid Braga €10 million (£8.3 million) to secure his services.

United’s poor performance has left them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, having secured just three victories from nine matches.

Additionally, their European campaign has not fared any better, as they sit 21st out of 36 teams in the Europa League table, drawing all three of their opening fixtures.