RUBEN AMORIM all but confirmed he will join Manchester United as he admitted the “soap opera is coming to an end”.
The Red Devils are desperate to make the Portuguese gaffer Erik ten Hag’s replacement at Old Trafford.
They will pay the £8.3million release clause to get him out of his current contract at Sporting – plus an extra £4.1m for his loyal backroom staff.
And although the appointment has not been confirmed, Amorim hinted it is a done deal.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Estrela Amadora, the expected incoming Red Devils manager said: “I know it’s difficult for everyone, but at the end of the game we’ll address it.
“I don’t think the president forced me to leave immediately.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
“He’s defending the club’s rights and I’m not getting involved in that, I would never do that.
“I think that at the end of the game everyone will be very clear.
“The fans may like it or not, but everything will be settled.
“We’re adults and things happen sometimes.
Most read in Football
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
“We really want to win this game, we really need to win. And at the end of the game we’ll address that issue.
“It’s difficult to focus on the games, but I’m managing to do so more.
“The soap opera is coming to an end, let’s say. The fact that I can’t be so clear creates a lot of difficulty for me.”
Amorim then revealed he decided not to watch Ruud van Nistelrooy’s United beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup.
And instead, he watched tomorrow’s opponents plus United’s rivals Manchester City as they were dumped out of the cup competition by Tottenham.
That is because should he remain at Sporting – possibly until the international break due to a 30-day notice period – he would lead his current team against City in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Amorim, who was mentored by Jose Mourinho, added: “I knew the result, but yesterday I watched Amadora.
“I also watched Man. City, although there were a lot of changes and it’s not possible to make an assessment for the Champions League game.”
Though no confirmation has come, United and Ineos chief Sir Dave Brailsford implied all the negotiations to bring Amorim in are completed.
He told fans outside Old Trafford “it’s done” when quizzed by supporters.
However, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Amorim will be in the Old Trafford dugout for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
That would see Van Nistelrooy take charge once again – following his impressive debut last night.
His free-flowing team turned on the style to sweep away Leicester.
And the former Holland striker is determined to stay on at Carrington if he is given the chance.
Van Nistelrooy said: “I came here as an assistant to help the club.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed.
“I’m here to help and serve and 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.”
Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd
WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
