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      ‘I did my coaching badges with Ruben Amorim, I think Man Utd have got the right man’

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      RUBEN AMORIM is the right man for the Manchester United job, says Gabby Agbonlahor.The former Aston Villa striker speaks from experience as he did his coaching badges alongside the new United boss.Ruben Amorim has been confirmed as Man Utd’s new head coachCredit: ReutersGabby Agbonlahor believes he is the right man for the jobCredit: TalksportAmorim is set for his third job in management after being confirmed as United’s first-ever head coach.And Agbonlahor believes he is the right man for the job, praising his record in Portugal.He was also left impressed by Amorim when he did his coaching badges alongside him.Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “You could tell he was so into it in a way that he had to get his badges to start managing.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”When you look at what he’s done since leaving Braga to Sporting Lisbon, breaking 19 years without winning a league title.”I think Manchester United have got the right man.”Amorim has been in charge of Sporting since 2020, winning two league titles and two Portuguese cups in that time.While he has put the club in a superb position this term, sitting top of the Primeira Liga table – winning every league game they’ve played and conceding just twice.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRuben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN 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.He has a different prospect on his hands in Manchester with United currently 11th in the league after losing more games than they have won in the league this season.However, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy got the Red Devils firing once again in United’s first game of the post-Ten Hag era.Van Nistelrooy makes clear his hopes to remain at Man Utd United thrashed Leicester City 5-2 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night to book their spot in the competition’s quarter-finals.Amorim is known for his high possession style and has always favoured a back three during his time as a manager.It can be expected that he will try and maintain that winning formula as boss of United. More

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      Tottenham snubbed Ollie Watkins transfer as Jose Mourinho refused to pay price tag… and signed flop striker instead

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      JOSE MOURINHO snubbed the chance to sign Ollie Watkins at Tottenham, because he cost too much money.Watkins, 28, has become one of the Premier League’s top strikers at Aston Villa, with 48 goal contributions in all competitions since the start of last season.Tottenham turned down the chance to sign Ollie Watkins in 2020Credit: GettyJose Mourinho thought the £28m price tag was too high for a cover strikerCredit: GettyThe England ace has fired Unai Emery’s side into the Champions League, and has solidified his status as England’s No2 striker behind record goalscorer Harry Kane.However, it has been revealed that Watkins could have played the same role at club level.Former Tottenham manager, director and scout David Pleat has revealed how the North London side came close to landing Watkins in 2020.He explained how then-Spurs boss Mourinho asked him about Brentford ace Watkins, before deciding that the £28million price tag was too much and therefore allowing Villa to swoop in.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking on Sky Sports, Pleat, 79, said: “I spoke to Jose on a couple of occasions. I remember once he asked me about Ollie Watkins, I remember that quite clearly.”And at the time the price Brentford was £28m, which Dean Smith took the opportunity at Villa – a lovely man, Dean Smith.”We decided that that was too much money. Or Jose decided it was too much money to pay for a cover forward for Harry Kane.”Since that summer, Watkins has scored 75 goals in all competitions for Villa, adding 29 assists to take his goal contribution tally to 109.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSpurs signed a number of strikers as cover options for Kane, but struggled to find the right star.Current Fulham ace Carlos Vinicius was signed on loan from Benfica that summer instead, with the Brazilian scoring ten goals in all competitions, including one in the Premier League at a cost of a £2.7m loan fee.Spurs instead brought Carlos Vinícius in on loanCredit: GettyTransfer fees could be scrapped in biggest change to football in 30 years after landmark court case brought against Fifa In all, the 29-year-old has 41 goals and assists since 2020 from stints at PSV, Fulham and Galatasaray.Pleat added: “And in the end, we went for Vinicius, a player who didn’t do too well. We has one of two other players who came as cover for Kane.”They weren’t too successful, but they were cover players. “And we never really had the succession ready to take over from Kane when the inevitability came that he would leave the club.”Since then Richarlison was a big-money signing from Everton, but only managed three goals and was plagued by injury in the final season before Kane left for Bayern Munich in 2023.Other strikers the club have tried since Kane broke into the team in 2014 in an effort to cover him have also not worked out great.Clinton N’Jie, Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente all tried and failed to be suitable cover options for Kane.N’Jie, now 31, arrived at the club in 2015 for £8.3m but never scored for the club in 14 appearances. Arriving in 2016 for £17m, Janssen, now 30, scored just six goals in 42 games for Spurs before leaving in 2019.Ex-Swansea star Fernando Llorente was another option who arrived with the hopes of being effective cover for Kane in 2017.He netted 13 goals in 66 games over two years at the club after arriving for £12m.This means that over the nine seasons that Kane reigned supreme at the club, they spent £100m on back-up strikers for a return of just 32 goals in all competitions.Last summer Dominic Solanke was brought in as the club’s new talisman for an initial £55m that could see £10m added.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe ex-Bournemouth ace, 27, has three goals in 12 games under Ange Postecoglou.They face Aston Villa on Sunday for their next game.Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine. 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      Callum Wilson wanted by four Premier League clubs in January transfer with Newcastle set to cash in on injury-prone star

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      CALLUM WILSON is set to become a target for FOUR Premier League clubs in January, SunSport understands.The Newcastle striker has hardly featured this term due to an injury he sustained in pre-season.Callum Wilson is set to become a target for four Premier League clubs in JanuaryCredit: AlamyBut the England forward is close to returning and now a string of clubs are monitoring the player.We can reveal Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brenftord and Southampton are all monitoring the player.It’s thought Brentford are in pole position and see Wilson as the ideal replacement for Ivan Toney.Fulham, meanwhile, are keen to add to their striking options and have money to spend.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWilson is thought to be open-minded to a switch having found himself playing second-fiddle to Alexander Isak.Now 32, it makes sense for Newcastle to move Wilson on not least because injury problems continue to plague him.A back issue kept him out of action during pre-season, and he hasn’t been available for the beginning of the new Premier League campaign.The £46,000-a-week striker has been a great servant for Newcastle, leading the line expertly and being hailed as “incredible” by Howe last year.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut only nine league starts came his way in 2024/25, and he’s keen to try and secure more game-time.Wilson’s current Magpies deal also expires next summer, which means now is the last opportunity to receive a fee for his signature, prior to losing him on a free in 2025 instead.The forward has 48 goals in 108 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Bournemouth in 2020. Chelsea vs Newcastle: Player Ratings More

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      Frustrated Man Utd stars decided Ten Hag cost them EIGHT POINTS this season as they held private summit

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      FRUSTRATED Man United stars held their own private summits into the club’s disastrous start to this season.The players concluded former boss Erik ten Hag was responsible for a loss of eight points.Man Utd stars have claimed Erik ten Hag’s tactics cost the club valuable pointsCredit: AlamyThe Dutchman was sacked on Monday and swiftly replacedCredit: AlamyUnited are currently 14th in the Premier League after a dismal start to the seasonCredit: GettySome of the dressing room went through the failures this season in private and tried to identify what was going wrong.They took culpability for a woeful performance against Spurs and losing against West Ham after missing numerous chances to score.But they also believed Ten Hag’s tactics and substitutions during games had seen them drop eight points. If they had bagged those points, United would now have 19 points – one more than Arsenal in third and Aston Villa in fourth.READ MORE ON MAN UTDInstead, they sit in 14th place ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea. A source said: “The players definitely know they have underperformed in some games this season and have been honest about that.”But they were also left puzzled by some of Ten Hag’s decisions which didn’t make sense to them.”Either leaving players out, subbing off players who were playing well at crucial parts in games, or instructing the team tactically in ways that they believe cost them games.Most read in Football”They reckon his decisions were directly responsible for the equivalent of losing two games and picking up a point instead of a win.”Ten Hag was sacked on Monday after United dominated the game against West Ham, but still lost 2-1.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Red Devils have scored just eight goals in nine Premier League fixtures this season and have conceded 11.Overall, they have recorded just three wins, drawing two and losing four. Ruben Amorim showed flashes of a young Jose Mourinho is his latest press conference – and teased a big announcementRuben Amorim was announced as Ten Hag’s successor on Friday.The 39-year-old arrives with a strong reputation after leading Sporting Lisbon to two titles in Portugal. In a statement, the club wrote: “Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements.“He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday 11 November.“Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.“Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins.” More

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      Inside Steven Gerrard’s £15.2m-a-year life in Saudi Arabia with luxury mansion as Liverpool legend ‘facing sack’

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      THE Gerrards’ “dream life” is under threat.Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is reportedly facing the sack from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, after just 16 months.Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s Saudi dream could be overGerrard is under a lot of pressure after a shock loss with Al-EttifaqThe Gerrards live an incredible life in nearby BahrainFans and pundits are calling for him to resign following a shock exit from the King Cup.It’s a gig that has made Gerrard, 44, one of the highest paid managers in the world – earning a whopping £15.2million-per-year.That epic salary has allowed him, wife Alex and their kids to live an exclusive life in the Middle East.Rather than live in strict Saudi Arabia, they reside in the more Westernised Bahrain.read more football newsThey rent a £10,000-per-month home on a private estate in the Hamala Village.While Wag Alex, 42, enjoys her time at the Bahrain World Trade Center in Manama, where she gets her shopping fix at the various designer outlets.SunSport looks at how the family is living their best life as expats.Amazing mansionGerrard is one of the highest paid managers in world football, which allows him and his family to enjoy an incredible lifestyle.Most read in FootballWhen he joined Al-Ettifaq, the club gave him a stunning villa in Dammam to stay in.I played with Frank Lampard at Chelsea and we never lost.. but I’d still rather line up alongside Steven Gerrard’Occasionally he uses it, but he also rents a mansion in the Hamala area of Bahrain for £10,000-per-month.Many expats have complained about the strict rules regarding alcohol in Saudi Arabia.So plenty opt for a live across the border in Bahrain, which is an hour’s drive for Gerrard who goes back and forth to the Gulf nation.The Gerrards property features six large bedrooms, a swimming pool, tennis court and games room. It’s in a compound behind a high gate, so their privacy is respected.Steven and Alex often share images of their family house on social media – beaming in photos and looking the picture of health.Neighbours include members of the Bahraini Royal family.The Gerrards have made the more Westernised Bahrain their homeHamala boasts incredible mansions with lots of open space in private compoundsThe Gerrards are believed to be £10k-per-month for their homeWag Alex Gerrard has called her existence in Bahrain as a ‘Dream life’Shopping & SchoolingBack in Liverpool, Alex was a regular at the designer boutiques and the model has always been seen as one of the more stylish Wags around.She has been able to keep up with fashion trends thanks to Bahrain’s lavish malls, while her social life hasn’t dwindled – dining at some of the world’s top restaurants.One of Alex’s favourite spots is the Manama’s World Trade Centre.There, she shops at boutiques including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Versace.The Avenues, a stylish waterfront shopping centre, is also another place Alex is fond of and offers high-street brands like H&M and Adidas.Steven and Alex’s three youngest kids are enrolled at Bahrain’s most exclusive English language school.It features in the world’s top 100 schools and costs a whopping £11,000-per-year.The Moda Mall boasts designer boutiques that Alex Gerrard lovesThere are a number of malls in Bahrain that offer high street favouritesGerrard’s three youngest children attend one of the world’s best schoolsCredit: Instagramread more sport featuresMembers onlyThe exclusiveness doesn’t end there for the Gerrards.For Alex, there’s plenty of pampering to be had at the many spas and salons on offer in Bahrain, often found in the luxurious hotels.As part of Gerrard’s contract with Al-Ettifaq, the former England star was given free membership to the country’s two most exclusive health clubs found at the five star Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton hotels.Membership for the Ritz-Carlton health club would usually cost around £5,000.Gerrard and his family have also been spotted enjoying the open-air bar in the incredible resort, watching Liverpool games.The family also enjoy spending time at the exclusive expart Bahrain Rugby Club.Many Brits, an estimated 4,000, go there to grab a pint and watch Premier League matches at the big sports bar.The venue also boasts pristine sports pitches.Founded in 1935, a pint costs just £4.50 as opposed to £13 in the rest of Manama.Bahrain boasts first class spas where Alex Gerrard can keep up with beauty regimenCredit: InstagramExpensive date nights at amazing restaurants are a regular occurrence for Steven and Alex in BahrainThe exclusive Bahrain Rugby Club is where a host of expats visit, including the GerrardsCredit: bahrainrfcGerrard has been seen enjoying the Bahrain Rugby Club’s sports barSteven Gerrard will be reluctant to leave Bahrain now after living his best lifeWhen it comes to dining out, Steven and Alex have been seen enjoying steak restaurant Cut at the Four Seasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESRun by Michelin-star Austrian chef Wolfgang Puck, prime slices of beef can cost up to £200.With all that’s on offer, the Gerrards would be gutted if it came to an end now. 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      Man Utd pay nearly £1million to get Ruben Amorim early – and he’ll still manage three more games with Sporting

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have paid Sporting a fee to get Ruben Amorim early, SunSport can reveal.The Portuguese has been confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor.Man Utd have paid Sporting a fee to release Ruben Amorim from his 30-day notice periodCredit: PABut he is set to remain in charge of Sporting until November 11, when he will make the switch to Old Trafford.That means he will be in the dugout for Manchester City’s visit to the Jose Alvalade Stadium on November 5.United fans face a wait to see their new boss, whose first game will be the visit to Ipswich on November 24.That is despite the club paying Sporting a £900,000 fee to release Amorim early, rather than waiting another three weeks.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAmorim is understood to have a 30-day notice period in his Sporting contract, which United have negotiated him out of.Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in interim charge until Amorim arrives so will oversee games against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester.It is understood Amorim will bring three coaches with him to Old Trafford – Sporting’s assistant manager Adelio Candido, assistant coach Carlos Fernandes and goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital.SunSport can reveal he also wants to sign Sporting’s £70m-rated star Ousmane Diomande.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRuben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN 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.Amorim, 39, also becomes United’s very first head coach, rather than a manager.That marks a shift at United following the arrival of Ineos and the introduction of a true footballing structure, headed by Dan Ashworth as sporting director.Ruben Amorim responds to questions about Man Utd job after Sporting match More

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      FA Cup first round: ‘Baffled’ club chief blasts ‘confusing’ TV picks after Ollie Watkins’ former club snubbed

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      FA CUP bosses have been slammed for their “confusing” first round TV picks by a club chief hoping for a giant-killing. Weston-super-Mare make the short 24-mile journey to Bristol Rovers tomorrow.Weston-super-Mare travel to Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium with the derby not on teleCredit: RexOllie Watkins spent one season on loan at non-league club as a youngsterCredit: BPMThe sixth tier club have come through three qualifying rounds to make the first round proper and have been rewarded with a local derby against League One opponents. Many expected the game to be one of the five selected for TV coverage across ITV and the BBC this weekend.But Weston-super-Mare’s huge clash has been surprisingly snubbed. Tamworth welcome Huddersfield on the Beeb tonight and Northampton’s local derby with Kettering Town is on tele on Saturday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSutton vs Birmingham and Harrogate vs Wrexham are live on Sunday before the action concludes on Monday as Chesham United face Lincoln. But the West Country clash’s rejection has frustrated Weston-super-Mare director Ed Bliss, who told Bristol Live: “It baffled all of us.”You’ve got Birmingham and Sutton being televised. Confusing. You know why with Wrexham. They’ve got a bit of weight behind them. I’m not taking it away from them. “But you can’t get a better opportunity to televise a game in the FA Cup than two reasonably well-matched teams on each other’s doorstep. Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So it’s confusing, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”Asked how much the club could have made if shown on tele, Bliss explained: “It would have been in the realms of about £80,000.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers”So a game changer for us to build for next season, to plug in a little bit of finance for this season. But that’s the way it goes.”Weston-super-Mare, who are top of the National League South, was where England hero Ollie Watkins played on loan in the 2014/15 season.They are taking around 2,000 fans up the M5 to the Memorial Stadium for the huge FA Cup clash, which has been labelled one of the biggest games in the club’s history. More

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      Whisky brand poke fun at incoming Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim with billboard outside Old Trafford

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      A whisky brand has delivered a cheeky warning to the new Manchester United manager – not to ‘balls it up’ when they get behind the desk.The job, one of the biggest in world football, has been described as a poisoned chalice in the past.The van said the Man Utd job ‘sounds like Heaven, burns like hell’Credit: Anthony Devlin/PinPepThe cheeky whisky company were not slow to capitalise on Amorim’s appointmentCredit: Anthony Devlin/PinPepMan Utd have announced that Ruben Amorim will become the new head coach on November 11Credit: X formerly Twitter / @ManUtdBut interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy started them off on the right foot with a thumping 5-2 win at home against Leicester last night.Fireball cinnamon whisky liqueur parked the tongue-in-cheek van outside Old Trafford, which also offering a free drink to the incoming coach.And the new full-time boss, Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, is going to need more than Dutch Courage to succeed.Lorenzo Farronato for the brand said: “As the next stage of Manchester United’s managerial saga appears to be almost decided, we’re thrilled to be able to give United fans something to spice up the occasion.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS“We want to wish the manager the best of luck in their new role and to let them know that Fireball is here for any celebrations (or commiserations) that come with the next rollercoaster era of club leadership.”Man Utd today announced Amorim as their new head coach on a three-year deal.But the Portuguese boss will stay at Sporting until the international break, formally taking charge of the Red Devils on November 11.His first match will be away at Ipswich, whose manager Kieran McKenna was linked with the United job in the summer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRuud van Nistelrooy will remain in temporary charge until Amorim formally begins work.United have home games against Chelsea, PAOK Thessaloniki and Leicester before Amorim takes over.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN 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.Sporting fans give verdict on Ruben Amorim ahead of move to Man Utd More