RUBEN AMORIM was on the pitch as a player when TWO current Manchester United stars scored against him.
While another star he could soon be managing at Old Trafford is a former team-mate.
United finally axed Erik ten Hag on Monday after a woeful start to the season, with the Sporting Lisbon boss set to replace him.
And they are said to already have a verbal agreement in place with Amorim, with the Red Devils set to trigger his £8.5million release clause.
The 39-year-old is would to become the third youngest boss in the Premier League – only Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, Southampton’s Russell Martin and Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna are younger.
And, such is his age, Amorim has actually played both with, and against, some of the current Man Utd squad.
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In fact, he spent FOUR years as Victor Lindelof’s team-mate at Benfica.
But with the Swedish centre-back still a teenager, they were only actually on the pitch together three times.
Amorim also played against the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham in the Europa League, before being forced to hang up his boots in 2017 due to a knee injury.
Amorim played a key role in 2014, registering two assists at White Hart Lane as Benfica knocked Spurs out the last-16.
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Now-United man Christian Eriksen score in the other leg.
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Amorim, who was a versatile midfielder or right-back, also faced Sir Alex Ferguson’s side four times back in his playing days.
He was involved as Benfica drew 1-1 and 2-2 with United in the 2011 Champions League group stage.
And at the same stage of the tournament the following year, Amorim was then at Braga and played in 3-2 and 3-1 defeats to the Red Devils.
In their first encounter at Old Trafford, Jonny Evans was on the scoresheet from a corner.
Amorim can also call ex-United stars Nemanja Matic and Angel Di Maria his old team-mates at club level.
He earned 14 caps for Portugal and was therefore called-up alongside Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo.
‘I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job links
RUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.
The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.
Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.
But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.
He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].
“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.
“I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
