Manchester United news LIVE: Ruben Amorim to be announced as new manager with complex timeline revealed
Man Utd set to make official their deal to hire the Sporting CP boss - but he won’t make the move to Old Trafford immediately
Ruben Amorim is set to become Manchester United’s next manager, but the delay in confirming the appointment of the Sporting Lisbon coach is adding to growing uncertainty over when he could take charge.
United will pay Amorim’s €10m (£8.3m) release clause, but The Independent understands the club are negotiating with the Portuguese champions to ensure Amorim does not have to serve a 30-day notice period, while they also want to agree terms to bring his backroom staff to Old Trafford.
Although Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos’ director of sport, appeared to confirm to fans before the Old Trafford tie that the deal for Amorim was “done”, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy said he is willing to help United for “as long as needed” after overseeing a 5-2 win over Leicester City on Wednesday night.
On Thursday, Amorim said the “soap opera” about his future is ending as he suggested his move to Manchester United will be announced on Friday evening. Sporting want to keep Amorim until the November international break - which would mean he would face Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Follow all the latest news and updates below as United close in on their new manager:
Ruben Amorim promises more clarity over ‘soap opera’ move to Manchester United
Ruud van Nistelrooy reveals next steps of Manchester United manager search
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s debut outing proves Manchester United were right to dismiss Erik ten Hag
Miguel Delaney answers questions on new manager search and transfer window
Amorim to face media again
Ruben Amorim is set to face the media again after of the weekend’s fixtures. He last did a press conference on Tuesday night after Sporting’s League Cup over Nacional.
Here is what he said:
“We have to wait a little bit more to explain what I need to explain, then it will be very clear,” says Ruben Amorim. “Yes, it is my decision, I will tell everything, we have to wait. I don’t know [how long].”
Pushed over whether he will be at Old Trafford for Man Utd v Chelsea on Sunday, Amorim maintains he will still be in Portugal.
“I will be here [at Sporting].”
Definitely?
“I don’t know.”
What updates will the Portuguese manager provide this afternoon?
Sporting push for extra compensation for Ruben Amorim’s assistant coaches
Manchester United could face more expenses to prize Ruben Amorim away from Sporting, the Independent understands.
On top of the £8.3m release clause, Sporting are pushing for more compensation for Amorim’s assistant coaches, with as much as £4.1m more demanded.
It would also allow Amorim to waive a 30-day notice period, reports in Portugal add.
What is the Carabao Cup draw?
The latest updates coming out of Portugal are that Ruben Amorim will join Manchester United during the next international break. He would have a few nice Premier League fixtures to bed in before the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in December.
The draw took place last night, here’s how it looks:
Tottenham vs Manchester United
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle vs Brentford
Southampton vs Liverpool
All ties will take place during week beginning 16 December and the Tottenham clash could be the first real test of Amorim’s reign. Ange Postecoglou wants to win a trophy and the Carabao Cup may be Spurs’ best chance this year.
Ruben Amorim says ‘nothing has been decided’ amid interest from Manchester United
Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has addressed the reports linking him with the vacant managerial role at Manchester United and says ‘nothing has been decided’.
He spoke to the media following his team’s 3-1 victory over Nacional in the Portuguese league cup on Tuesday evening but refused to confirm whether he will be the man to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
“Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.” said the 39-year-old when asked if he had overseen a Sporting match for the final time.
Ruben Amorim says ‘nothing has been decided’ amid interest from Manchester United
The 39-year-old spoke after Sporting CP’s victory in the Portuguese league cup
Amorim and Van Nistelrooy on media duties
Despite being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford Ruben Amorim is still manager of Sporting CP and is due to speak to the media at 1pm GMT this afternoon to preview their next league game against Estrela.
No doubt Amorim will be asked about the Manchester United links again so we’ll see if he offers any other updates (though that’s doubtful).
After that, Ruud van Nistelrooy (4pm) will conduct his first news conference as United’s interim manager and he will be excited following the Red Devils 5-3 victory over Leicester in their first match since the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim could meet Mikel Arteta early on in Man Utd reign
Ruben Amorim could lock horns with Mikel Arteta in the first few weeks of his Man Utd reign.
The Portuguese coach knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2023 while in charge of Sporting.
The sides meet on 4 December, with Amorim reportedly set to wait until after the international break until taking charge.
That would give him a run of games against Ipswich, Bodo/Glimt and Everton before a trip to the Emirates.
Van Nistelrooy hails Casemiro impact after stunning strike vs Leicester
"The first goal was an unbelievable, top goal - fantastic finish," Van Nistelrooy told MUTV.
"I'm delighted for him that the first goal went in. I was delighted for Case, the way he's been training and helping the team and the club, he's such an example. You also see the crowd's reaction and they also know what he's about.
“Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism. It was so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that, it was not true. “If you see him in training and the way he prepares for games, with the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues, he’s an example for us. That was part of my celebration, I’m happy for him.”
Van Nistelrooy praises Dalot impact at Manchester United
“We want to get a lot of the ball, attack and try to give the fans a good night,” Van Nistelrooy said, before praising Diogo Dalot.
“Diogo is a very important member of the team. He is one of the leaders and is always training professionally.
"He is always there to help the team and I was delighted."
How Ruben Amorim would change Manchester United – starting with three things
Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1
Amorim first tried a back three early in his coaching career and he quickly settled upon a preferred 3-4-2-1 shape. At Sporting the system could flex into a 3-4-3 with two wide forwards rather than typical No 10s, and occasionally he played with a 3-5-2, but Amorim rarely deviated from his three-at-the-back foundation.
When Sporting built from deep, two adventurous wing-backs hugged the touchlines to stretch the pitch, leaving space for confident centre-backs to either carry the ball upfield or play passes into midfield. At United, Lisandro Martinez could slot into the left side of a three-man defence while Matthijs de Ligt would likely be the central pin.
For the wing-back roles, Amorim has good options on the right side in his fellow Portuguese Diogo Dalot and summer signing Noussair Mazraoui, who have both made bright starts to the season. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia would be natural choices at left wing-back but both players have struggled to stay fit and this might be an area where Amorim needs a January reinforcement. He could instead turn to youth, with 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass considered one of United’s best prospects.
How Ruben Amorim would change Man Utd – starting with three things
Manchester United’s new manager in waiting transformed Sporting from fallen giants to the champions of Portugal and he faces a similar task at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim to pen 2.5-year contract at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim is poised to sign a 2.5 year contract, the Independent understands.
So while the Portuguese is highly rated, there is an element of caution there from Ineos.
Given the cost of the operation, with a €10m release clause and a further €1m for his staff and the early release, 2.5 years would appear to be the minimum level of commitment from United’s side.
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