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
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.”
Ruben Amorim remains coy on desire to join Manchester United
“We haven’t got to that part. The club talks to another club, is talking to another club, and then you take the next step with the coach.
“And whether I want to go or not, I’ll say later. That’s the decision we’re talking about here. I won’t say.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s debut outing proves Manchester United were right to dismiss Erik ten Hag
Ruud van Nistelrooy always promised goals for Manchester United. There were 36 in his first season as a player, 44 in his second. There were seven in his first game as their interim manager, five of them for United. The third-lowest scorers in the Premier League, United discovered a prolific streak under him. If it is to prove his lone evening in charge of United, what a night for him.
It was a nostalgia trip when Van Nistelrooy headed down the tunnel at half-time to be serenaded by the Stretford End. The choruses of his name, the guttural growls of “Ruud”, may have transported them back to 2003, to a happier time, and if United can forever seek solace in their past, when actually needing to escape it, this was an enjoyable interlude before Ruben Amorim’s tenure begins, assuming it does and depending on when it actually starts.
Van Nistelrooy’s debut outing proves Man Utd were right to dismiss Ten Hag
Man Utd 5-2 Leicester: A confident flurry of goals at Old Trafford sent United into the league cup quarter-finals
How Ruben Amorim will change Manchester United – starting with three things
If Ruben Amorim’s task of restoring Manchester United to the champions of England looks nigh on impossible from the team’s lowly current position, at least he is a manager with form for remarkable transformation.
Amorim took charge of Sporting CP in March 2020, as a 35-year-old coach with only two months’ experience managing in the Portuguese top flight. He inherited a giant club without a league title in 18 years, in disarray on and off the field after the exits of key players Raphinha, Bas Dost and Bruno Fernandes – ironically now set to be his captain at Old Trafford.
Amorim quickly set about imprinting his own football identity. In his first full season in charge, his young side set a league record 32-game unbeaten run on their way to winning the Primeira Liga, ending the long duopoly of Porto and Benfica. Sporting lost only one league game all season, against Benfica, after already securing the title.
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
Man Utd face key hurdle in talks with Sporting over manager Ruben Amorim
What we know so far as Manchester United try to prise Ruben Amorim from Sporting:
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
Ruben Amorim’s stance after Sporting’s League Cup win Tuesday night
“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.”
Sporting Lisbon push for extra compensation for Ruben Amorim’s assistant coaches
Manchester United could face more expenses to prize Ruben Amorim away from Sporting Lisbon, 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.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments