Ruben Amorim is set to take the reins at Manchester United for their Premier League showdown against Chelsea on Sunday.
According to reports, the Red Devils are said to be on the brink of announcing Amorim as their first managerial appointment of the INEOS era, following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on Monday.
United’s 2-1 loss to West Ham United – marking their fourth defeat in nine Premier League matches this season – was seen as the last straw in a disastrous start to the campaign. Ten Hag’s tenure has come to an end after two and a half seasons, which saw the club lift the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but also endure their worst-ever Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will step in as interim manager, alongside the current coaching staff, for United’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Leicester City on Wednesday night. The Dutchman is expected to receive a hero’s welcome from the Old Trafford faithful – a tradition since his celebrated return in the summer – but his stint as caretaker boss is likely to be brief, reports the Express.
As reported by The Times, Van Nistelrooy is only anticipated to lead the team for the cup match against Leicester before United’s permanent replacement takes over. Amorim is the permanent successor in question, and he is due to manage his final game as Sporting head coach on Tuesday night.
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Sporting Lisbon will face Nacional in the quarter-finals of the Taca de Liga, a cup competition that Amorim has won three times in his coaching career, including twice with his current club. The 39-year-old is understood to have verbally agreed to take over at Old Trafford, becoming the club’s sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his boots in 2013.
Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly ready to cough up the £8.3million required to trigger his release clause and secure United’s top managerial target. United are among a handful of elite clubs who can snap up Amorim for a bargain half of his £16.6m release clause, compared to other European clubs. Portuguese suitors would be looking at a hefty £25m fee.
This cut-price deal has cleared the path for the Portuguese strategist to step into the hot seat following Ten Hag’s £13.5m dismissal package. Amorim will be taking over a United squad bursting with potential, despite the usual chaos that follows a managerial sacking.
Young talents like Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Rasmus Hojlund are all poised to make their mark on the team both now and in the future. Meanwhile, seasoned pros such as Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford are hitting their stride. And no doubt club captain Bruno Fernandes will be thrilled at the prospect of working with his fellow countryman, who is just nine years his senior.