Manchester United now are attempting to get a deal for Ruben Amorim over the line after sacking Erik ten Hag, with Manchester City having recently been linked with the Portuguese.
ten Hag was sacked this morning following United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Red Devils considered sacking the Dutchman after beating Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final.
But in the end, they decided to extend his contract.
That has proven to be a disastrous decision, with United sitting in 14th place in the table after nine games. They have taken just 11 points.
United, though, appear keen not to waste any time making a new appointment, with Amorim their top target.
And they’ve apparently said something to him to try and ensure he doesn’t hold out for the City job.
What Man United have told Ruben Amorim about Man City
According to the Manchester Evening News this evening, United are indeed closing in on Amorim.
He has apparently already agreed a deal in principle to become their next manager following ten Hag’s exit.
All that needs to be sorted at the moment is the compensation package to get him out of Sporting CP.
It is a story that has certainly developed quickly.
And of course, it is very interesting given all the speculation a couple of weeks about City admiring Amorim and seeing him as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola.
Obviously, Hugo Viana is coming in as the new director of football next summer, replacing Txiki Begiristain.
Many fans felt that may have been a sign that Amorim would take over from Guardiola.
It is thought Guardiola could extend his contract at City by one year, and Amorim had been tipped to potentially succeed him in the summer of 2026, which is when his contract at Sporting ends.
A positive move by United, but City can go for Alonso
It has been interesting to see United acting so swiftly after sacking ten Hag only this morning.
It is somewhat annoying that Amorim is their top target and seemingly there is now a very good chance of them getting him.
He is one of the top young managers in the game, and City did admire him.
But the club will not see this as a blow, as there are likely a number of names on the shortlist to replace Guardiola, whenever he decides to leave.
Potentially, we could now see more speculation surrounding another of the game’s top young managers in Xabi Alonso.
