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
‘Deal agreed’: Ruben Amorim will be next Manchester United manager
A deal has been fully agreed between Man Utd and Sporting for Ruben Amorim to become the club’s next manager, according to the Telegraph.
The report says Amorim will stay in charge of Sporting for the next three games, and will take over at Old Trafford during the international break.
An announcement could be due today...
Van Nistelrooy vows to stay and support next manager
Asked if he is happy to remain in interim charge as negotiations for Amorim continue, Van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports: “Of course - I came here as an assistant to help the club.
“Now in this role I’m helping as long as I’m needed. And in the future in any capacity, I’m here to help the club further, to build towards the future and that’s what I’m here for.”
Amorim’s coaching set-up is among the matters being discussed and Van Nistelrooy, who returned to United in the summer as one of Ten Hag’s assistants, indicated he would like to be part of it.
Pushed on whether he wants to be part of the new backroom team at United, the former striker said: “As I said, I’m here to help, I’m here to serve, I’m here to give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change.”
Sir Dave Brailsford indicates Ruben Amorim deal is ‘done’
Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos’ director of sport, appeared to confirm to fans before the Old Trafford tie that the deal for Amorim was “done”.
Sporting denied that any agreement for the head coach’s departure has been reached in a statement to A Bola, adding that they have “not yet received any amount regarding the termination clause”.
Reports suggest the Portuguese champions want Amorim, who has a 30-day notice period, to oversee their final three matches before November’s international break - a period in which United host Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester.
Van Nistelrooy appears likely to at least take charge against the Blues on Sunday, even if official confirmation of Amorim’s appointment comes before the weekend.
Van Nistelrooy vows to stay and support next manager
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is keen to form part of Ruben Amorim’s new coaching set-up as Manchester United continue talks to hire the Sporting Lisbon boss.
The Red Devils called time on Erik ten Hag’s 29-month reign after the Old Trafford hierarchy unanimously decided enough was enough following Sunday’s late loss at West Ham.
Van Nistelrooy was put in temporary charge as United look for a new head coach, with the club informing Sporting they would pay the 10million euros (£8.3m) termination clause in Amorim’s contract.
Negotiations continue as the Red Devils seek to bring in the Portuguese as quickly as possible, but Wednesday’s 5-2 Carabao Cup win against Leicester suggested they are in safe hands if the situation drags on.
Man Utd face key hurdle in talks with Sporting over manager Ruben Amorim
Manchester United are locked in talks with Sporting CP over the hiring of Ruben Amorim, as the Portuguese club hold out over compensation payments for their manager and his coaching staff.
After sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday, United’s hierarchy moved quickly to identify Amorim as the next manager at Old Trafford.
In an official statement, Sporting notified the Portuguese financial regulator, with the club listed on the stock market, of United’s position as negotiations continue over the €10m (£8.3m) release clause.
Man Utd face key hurdle in talks with Sporting over manager Ruben Amorim
Amorim could be appointed by this weekend’s Premier League match against Chelsea if the two clubs can come to an agreement
Sporting demand compensation for coaching staff
Talks between the two clubs are ongoing and The Independent understands that Sporting are demanding €5m to release the key coaching staff that Ruben Amorim would like to take with him to Old Trafford.
The club are also thought to be asking Manchester United to pay more that the initial €10m compensation for breaking Amorim out of his contract immediately.
Ruben Amorim is ‘very humble, discreet, and has a very clear mindset’
Former Liverpool and Portugal defender Abel Xavier took his coaching badges alongside Ruben Amorim and was impressed with the Sporting coach.
“He is very humble, discreet, and has a very clear mindset,” Xavier told BBC World Service.
“At Braga we saw an immediate impact because, with the same squad, with the same players, he transformed the team.
“He put in place his ideas, he changed the dynamic, he created empathy, and of course a big club like Sporting Lisbon paid to have him.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy happy to ‘help and serve’ Manchester United’s next manager
Ruud van Nistelrooy has vowed to stay on at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim if he is wanted to and said he will serve as interim manager for as long as they ask him to.
The former United striker won his first game in temporary charge after Erik ten Hag’s sacking by overseeing a 5-2 win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup, with both Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes scoring twice.
Ruud van Nistelrooy happy to ‘help and serve’ Manchester United’s next manager
The 48-year-old has vowed to remain at the club if the Ruben Amorim wants to keep him on his staff
Where does Ruben Amorim fee rank in Manchester United’s transfer business?
Manchester United transfers 24/25
1) Leny Yoro - €62m
2) Manuel Ugarte - €50m
3) Matthijs de Ligt - €45m
4) Joshua Zirkzee - €42.5m
5) Noussair Mazraoui - €15m
6) Ruben Amorim - €10m
Ruben Amorim on how his players would react if he joined Manchester United
“Without a doubt, without a doubt,” Amorim admits when asked if his players would be mad with him for leaving. “But I don’t interfere in the players’ lives. Now I talk to the players, because I’m Sporting coach. I want to do well for the group.
“I talked to the board about how we are going to manage the squad. But without a doubt my players will be, if I leave, they will be disappointed in me and sad with me. But it’s part of life.
“That happened with me already in Braga. When I came from Braga, from Braga’s stability to here, that happened a little.
“And they were a little disappointed, because they really believed that we were building something special. But then things happen that change people’s lives. And so, it’s a difficult situation.
“I can’t give you more than that. I understand that the players are even disappointed, sad. But I have to live with it. And the important thing is that we reach the end and know how to explain everything.
“Whether people understand it or not, the important thing is to come forward and explain it. And that’s what I’m going to do.”
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