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      Nottingham Forest star ready to snub Leeds interest to seal permanent transfer to the MLS with LAFC

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      LEWIS O’BRIEN looks set to sign for LAFC on a permanent deal in the new year — despite a handful of English sides wanting him back home.The midfielder, 26, has a fixed price of £7million agreed with current club Nottingham Forest when his loan spell in Los Angeles ends in January.Lewis O’Brien looks set to sign for LAFC on a permanent deal in the new yearCredit: GettyLAFC expect the move to go through although some Championship clubs are making background inquiries.Leeds and Hull have been checking on his availability but O’Brien is settled in the States and enjoying his time on and off the pitch.The midfielder has made nine appearances Stateside this year and impressed during his time away. O’Brien even revealed family and friends are getting up at all hours to watch his games. READ MORE FOOTBALLHe said: “Some of my friends and family are definitely waking up at 3-4 o’clock in the morning to watch the games, [which] is a tough thing to do when you’ve got to work a job the next day. “But there’s definitely people tuning in.”But O’Brien has also had to play on artificial turfs like in Vancouver – a stark difference to pitches in the UK.He said: “It takes the body quite a while to adjust to the turf, but that’s after the game, so during it’s not really that much of a problem. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It probably took me an extra few days to recover from the game. “But if we can do the job when we get there, we won’t have to see the AstroTurf again.”Watch moment raging Lionel Messi ‘calls referee -mean-spirited son of a b****’ in furious rant after Inter Miami draw More

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      ‘He can do with Hojlund what he did with Gyokeres’ – Amorim backed for Man Utd success by boss who managed him as player

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      QUIQUE SANCHEZ FLORES has tipped Ruben Amorim to be a hit at Manchester United — because he knows what buttons to push with the modern-day footballer.The  Portuguese, 39, is tasked with reviving sacked manager Erik ten Hag’s squad when he leaves Sporting Lisbon to start work at Old Trafford a week tomorrow.Ruben Amorim left Sporting Lisbon for Man UtdCredit: PARasmus Hojlund’s future will be in doubtCredit: RexSpaniard Sanchez Flores managed Amorim when he played for Benfica in 2008-09.The ex-Watford chief said: “I remember him as a clever, elegant and committed footballer. He was always close to his team-mates.“The way his teams play reflects a high standard of discipline.“He has a similar work ethic to former United manager Jose Mourinho. Only time will tell if Ruben can reach his level.READ MORE MAN UTD“But, more importantly, he understands the mentality of the players in this new generation.”Asked whether Amorim can turn United’s hit-and-miss £64million striker Rasmus Hojlund into a deadly finisher like Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, with 59 goals in 65 outings for the club,  Sanchez Flores quoted Rudyard Kipling.He said: “With respect to Hojlund, the pack is the strength of the wolves. He is a good striker but he will only hit his high standards again if the team changes its level of performance.“And Ruben now has the chance to train very good players in Manchester. Yes, he can do with Hojlund what he did with Gyokeres.”Most read in FootballThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIncredibly, Amorim kick-started his football career by playing in a trial at Portuguese club Belenenses with a BROKEN ARM!His childhood friend Bruno Simao told the BBC: “I said I’d speak with the coach to fix up a game.Watch as Sporting CP’s fans jeer at new Manchester United Manager Rúben Amorim“Ruben replied, ‘I cannot play, I broke my arm’. I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure the coach will see you’. “Ruben was centre-back and the coaches told the players, ‘Take care of him because of his arm’.“That was the start of his playing career.”Antonio Veloso, a professor at the University of Lisbon where Amorim studied a degree in high performance coaching, added: “Ruben had a tremendous tactical knowledge and understanding of what coaching was about.”Amorim could swoop for Viktor GyokeresCredit: Getty More

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      New Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim kick-started career playing in trial with BROKEN ARM, reveals childhood friend

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      RUBEN AMORIM kick-started his career playing in a trial with BROKEN ARM – as his friend backed the coach to succeed at Manchester United. The 39-year-old has replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hotseat after being prised away from Sporting Lisbon. Ruben Amorim, leftm in the Benfica boys’ team along with Bruno Simao, second right, and Pedro Russiano, rightAmorim started his managerial career with Casa Pia before joining Braga and later Sporting. As a player, he first came through the Belenenses ranks before a nine year spell with Benfica. Amorim had actually been released from Benfica’s academy as a youngster and was given a lifeline by Belenenses. But his trial at the Lisbon-based club could hardly have got off to a worse start as he played on with a broken arm. READ MORE ON MAN UTDOld friend Bruno Simao told BBC Sport: “I said to Ruben: ‘Why don’t you come and play with me again at Belenenses?’ “I said I’d speak with the coach to fix up a game so he could watch him.”Ruben replied: I cannot play, I broke my arm.'””I said: ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure the coach will see you and you will stay with us.'”Most read in FootballRuben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe trial game was arranged, with Amorim playing despite the injury. Simao revealed: “He was centre-back and the coaches told all the players: ‘Take care of him because of his arm’. Watch as Sporting CP’s fans jeer at new Manchester United Manager Rúben Amorim”He came through the game and stayed with us at Belenenses. That was the start of his professional playing career.”Amorim had a 13-year playing career but retired in 2017 to focus on coaching, spending a week with Jose Mourinho at United the following year. He has led Sporting to two league title wins and emerged as one of the most sought-after coaches in the world. Old friend Simao still keeps in touch with Amorim and backed him for success in Manchester. He said: “We keep in touch. Ruben is godfather to my eldest daughter Carolina, who is 18. Even yesterday I messaged him about going to Manchester United.”It’s a good opportunity for him to go there as a coach. They are not in a good moment but it’s still a top club and for Ruben it will be wonderful.”Amorim playing for Benfica in 2015Credit: GettyJose Mourinho with AmorimCredit: Twitter @Mourinho_XtraAmorim left Sporting to take over at Man UtdCredit: PA More

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      Crystal Palace lining up swoop for Ligue 1 striker starlet as they refuse to meet Mateta’s huge wage demands

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      CRYSTAL PALACE have put Oumar Diakite at the top of their list of Jean-Philippe Mateta replacements.The Eagles have watched Reims’ Ivory Coast striker for months as we revealed — and again last week.Crystal Palace have put Oumar Diakite at the top of their list of Jean-Philippe Mateta replacementsCredit: GettyMateta faces leaving Crystal PalaceCredit: RexDiakite, 20, could be sold by the French club and Palace want to be at the front of the queue in case contract talks with Mateta stall.Mateta’s run of goals this year and his emergence in France’s Olympic squad has attracted interest.Palace want him to stay and may yet meet his demands for a new deal on around £90,000 a week.The striker has five goals this season but watched as defenders Marc Guehi and Trevoh Chalobah helped Palace to a 2-2 draw at Wolves. READ MORE IN footballManager Oliver Glasner said: “As I mentioned, I think we could have decided the game in the right moments when we had the momentum on our side, that’s what we didn’t do. “But overall, I think [the players] were asked: ‘are they able to score a goal as they are, when so many players are missing?’ And the team, the players, showed the right answer.“I mentioned it at the press conference before the game: it’s time for others to step up. “We had two defenders today scoring goals after set-plays, and also we created a lot of chances so overall, I think the mood is okay, and we go back to London with an unbeaten week, so everything’s fine.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“It’s football, and for me what is [important] is that we play our way, that we play with confidence, we play forward, we try to score goals. “I think this is what we’ve found again this week: this playing forward, attacking style, playing with bravery. This is how we want to play.“Overall, I’m really pleased with the performance.”BBC Sport pundit Shay Given BREAKS TABLE on set celebrating Newcastle’s match-winner as fans say ‘love him’ More

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      Sporting expect Ruben Amorim to raid his old club for Man Utd next summer with THREE stars tipped for pricey transfers

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      RUBEN AMORIM revealed he will not sign any Sporting Lisbon stars in January.But the new Manchester United boss refuses to rule out a summer move for sensation Viktor Gyokeres.Ruben Amorim could bring three Sporting Lisbon players to Manchester UnitedCredit: EPAViktor Gyokeres has been linked with Man Utd but is also being monitored by ArsenalCredit: PAUnited have only scored eight goals in nine top-flight games this season.Ex-Coventry striker Gyokeres, 26, has already netted 18 times so far — having hit 43 last term — but the Swede’s release clause is £84million.Amorim said: “I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January. Gyokeres costs 100 million and it’s very difficult.”Despite promising not to make any moves when the winter transfer window opens, Sporting bosses are privately admitting they expect Amorim to come in for his former players next summer.READ MORE ON MAN UTDGyokeres — also being followed closely by Arsenal — refused to rule out a potential move to the Premier League.He said: “Going with Amorim to Man Utd? I don’t know… I’m here.“As you can see, I enjoy it at Sporting. It’s nothing I think about.“I’m just sad about him leaving. We wish him all the best.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro.Goncalo Inacio is another player Amorim could look to take with him to Old TraffordCredit: GettyAnother player Amorim could move for is centre-back Ousmane Diomande.Portuguese Amorim, meanwhile, has yet to speak to any of United’s players, including countrymen Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.Ruben Amorim showed flashes of a young Jose Mourinho is his latest press conference – and teased a big announcementAhead of joining on November 11, he added: “As for United, I haven’t spoken to anyone — not even the players. I’m focused on Sporting.”Ex-Red Devils winger Nani is backing Amorim to be a success.Nani said: “He is in an excellent place and has all the conditions to do well.”Morten Hjulmand is the third man Amorim may bid for as Man Utd bossCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea fans LOVE Eden Hazard’s reaction as Blues legend is pranked by barber with Tottenham shirt

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      CHELSEA fans hailed Eden Hazard’s reaction after he was hilariously pranked with a Tottenham shirt by his barber.Blues icon Hazard, 33, spent seven hugely successful years at Stamford Bridge between 2012 and 2019.Eden Hazard did not realise he was about to be pranked at the barbersCredit: INSTAGRAM @astarbarbersHe reacted hilariously when he realised his apron cape had a Spurs shirt printed on itCredit: INSTAGRAM @astarbarbersHazard made himself a Chelsea legend during his seven years at the clubCredit: GettyHe scored 11 goals and assisted 85 in 352 appearances for the club, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup.Hazard left for Real Madrid five years ago – a move that failed desperately, largely due to persistent injuries.But the Chelsea faithful have never held that against the Belgian, who also earned 126 caps and scored 33 goals for his country.And it appears Hazard reciprocates the love between him and Blues supporters.READ MORE ON CHELSEAA-Star Barbers chose to prank him by putting the print of a Tottenham shirt on his apron cape.And when it was put on him he was not having any of it.Hazard said: “Bro, what are you doing man?”The former Lille man then threw it off as the barber laughed at the brilliant response.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAlongside the video, they added the caption: “Once a blue, always a blue 🔵.”Reacting to the clip, one fan said: “Don’t ever do that to our man 😂💙💙.”Watch Eden Hazard get mercilessly booed in CHARITY MATCH as fans refuse to forget Chelsea legend’s pastAnother added: “Eden never disappoints us 😂❤️.”A third replied: “💙👏legend.”While a fourth said: “You don’t try that with a Chelsea legend man.”A-Star Barbers have cut a host of footballers’ hair including Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba. More

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      Loose-lipped Amorim’s incredible Sporting press-conference shows new Man Utd boss will be non-stop entertainment in Prem

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      RUBEN AMORIM accepts he is a nightmare for the press officers who sit next to him at each media conference.They often want him to stop talking but here is a man who does not believe that silence is golden.Ruben Amorim was refreshingly honest in his press conference on Friday nightCredit: EPAHe revealed he wanted to stay at Sporting Lisbon until the end of the seasonCredit: EPAThis is why he will be enormously entertaining once he gets his feet under the table at Old Trafford.Although Amorim has never been one to criticise referees, you still get the feeling the Portuguese will talk himself into trouble over other issues once he is properly settled in English football.Admittedly, in his first press conference since being confirmed as United manager — after the outgoing Sporting Lisbon boss oversaw a 5-1 win over Estrela Amadora on Friday — he refused to speak about his new employers in Manchester.He also avoided talking about facing Manchester City, Sporting’s Champions League opponents on Tuesday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNevertheless, speaking 11 hours after the Red Devils announced his appointment, Amorim delivered a string of fascinating soundbites, most of which were completely unprompted.He also apologised to Sporting’s media man, sitting to his right, for ignoring the club’s pleas during the week for him to not to talk to the media about the speculation with United.Amorim, 39, has agreed a £6.5million-a-year deal at United but — remarkably — has claimed he turned down THREE TIMES that amount from another club who met his £8.3m buy-out clause.He spoke to West Ham and Liverpool in the summer but they did not make a firm offer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhile his claim of being offered nearly £20m a season surprised even the most well-briefed Sporting journalists, the feeling is that this club could have been Chelsea, who spoke to Amorim in 2023.But £20m a year would have been a huge amount, even by their money-is-no-object standards.Watch as Sporting CP’s fans jeer at new Manchester United Manager Rúben AmorimDuring his 30-minute press conference, Amorim seemed more serious compared to his previous media appearances during the week.You can imagine what he might look like after a season in Manchester if things do not go to plan.Amorim insisted that he was only ever interested in United — although he was bound to say that.He then revealed he wanted to remain in Lisbon and move to the Premier League at the end of this season.United said it had to be now and you could hardly blame them.Amorim also revealed he told Sporting at the start of the season that this would be his last year at the club.But despite the approach of United after the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Amorim conceded it was still not a straightforward decision to leave Sporting and he agonised over taking the plunge.He said: “United came along, paid the clause, above the clause, and the chairman defended his interests.“The only request I made to United was that it would be at the end of the season and they told me that wasn’t possible, that it was now or never.“I had three days to decide on something that would completely change my life. It’s not the first time that I’ve had my clause paid by another club.“Nor is it the second. It’s very hard for me to leave.“The club knew that if I rejected it, I wouldn’t have it in six months.“And I knew that in six months I would know that I wouldn’t be at Sporting. The only club that I wanted, and that moved me, was United.“It got to a point where I had to decide — and I did. Now I’m going home much more relaxed.“I would earn three times more with the last club that offered to pay my clause. I gave everything I had for the club.“I changed my mind several times. My concern is not to harm the Sporting team. And we’ll see later. I’ll have that concern when I’m at United.”After the midweek Champions League clash against City, Amorim will head to his former club Braga next Sunday when he will wave goodbye to Portuguese football for now.He heads to Manchester a week tomorrow and that will be the day Sporting plan to name their next manager, which is expected to be B team boss Joao Pereira.While there remains some anger at the timing of Amorim’s departure, many Sporting fans have taken the news well.And the majority gave him a good reception before and after Friday’s 5-1 Primeira Liga win.And he has certainly left Sporting in a good place. Having already won the title twice, they are top with a 100 per cent record from ten games. They are also unbeaten in the Champions League after three games and are in eighth spot.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim added: “I’m leaving here today feeling much more relieved. I was a little surprised by the fans’ reaction.“But I’m more relieved that everything is clearer now. My smile is always there but it’s a difficult time.”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. More

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      Ruben Amorim refused to have pints with me during our coaching course… he’s right man for Man Utd, says Gabby Agbonlahor

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      A FEW beers down the pub was a highlight of the day for Gabby Agbonlahor and his pals at Uefa coaching sessions in Belfast.Yet there was one man who shunned the prospect of a few pints because he was only there to learn.Ruben Amorim took a coaching course in Northern Ireland in 2019Credit: YouTubeAmorim will take charge of Manchester United from November 11Credit: EPAGabby Agbonlahor did his coaching badges alongside AmorimCredit: GettyEven then, Ruben Amorim stood out from the crowd.Manchester United’s new manager took his Uefa badges in Northern Ireland because he was able to take part in a super-intense, fast-track course.Amorim quit his first job at Casa Pia in 2019 after initially being suspended because he did not have the necessary qualifications to coach in Portugal.But having taken his B Licence in Belfast that same year, he was handed a job with Braga’s B team and his career then took off in spectacular style.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEx-Aston Villa star Agbonlahor, 38, said: “In Belfast, you can do a fast-track course. In England, it takes a year but for this one, you go for a week and each day lasts from 8am to 8pm.“I did my Uefa A and B badges there. It cost a few thousand pounds.“I was last there in 2020. I remember enjoying the days, although the weather was always rubbish.“Amorim first came to the course in 2019 after he resigned from his first job because he did not have the right qualifications. That is why he did the fast-track course.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“There were about 20 on the course. Benjani, Chris Samba, Lee Cattermole, Craig Gardner and Alex Bruce were among the others on it.“Amorim was very well-liked but you did not see him after 8pm when the course finished.Amorim confirmed by Man Utd but it’s a huge gamble and delay to start is bizarre“Each night we’d go to the Irish pub but he was not like that. We were there to do our badges after retiring but it was very much a box-ticking thing. It certainly was for me.“I had finished playing and had free time, so it was just the sort of thing you would do — but for him it was different.“Even then, he just spoke well. I remembered him as a player and he was a year older.“During the course, we all had to put on training sessions and his sessions were good.“We put them on for a load of 18-year-old lads from Belfast and I was nervous.“But Amorim came in and was completely prepared. Then it was a case of boom, boom, session done.Each night we’d go to the Irish pub but he was not like that. We were there to do our badges after retiring but it was very much a box-ticking thing. It certainly was for me.Gabby Agbonlahor“You could obviously tell then he had something. He was desperate for the qualifications.”Former Benfica midfielder Amorim made an instant impression at Braga B and was appointed first-team manager at the start of 2020.After leading the club to a League Cup success, he was snapped up by Sporting Lisbon two months later.Agbonlahor, now a talkSPORT pundit, said: “What I love about him is that he went to Braga, won a trophy and within a few months Sporting paid €10million for him.“That is crazy money in Portugal. Sporting must have seen something in him at Braga.“From being around him, I felt he had an aura. He is also no-nonsense. For me, Manchester United have got the right man as they need someone with the right philosophy.“I know Erik ten Hag had said he could not do it with these players. Amorim knows he has to bring some sort of style of play.“I could tell when a team is playing for their manager and I felt United were not under Ten Hag.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Amorim’s lucky he has Portuguese players in Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes and will lean on them.“He will want money to spend. I am not sure he will want the likes of Antony and Casemiro. He will want some legs in midfield.”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. More