New Delhi: Following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal as Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim has emerged as the front-runner for taking over the job at Old Trafford. Amorim is currently managing Sporting Lisbon, and United is reportedly looking to make a deal with the 39-year-old.
For now, Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as interim manager after Ten Hag, who was hired in 2022, managed to win only one of their last eight games in competitions. According to reports, United are ready to pay £8.3m as Amorim’s for his release clause from his current club.
🚨 Ruben Amorim has given initial green light to Man United. He’s keen on joining the club, accepting the project and the terms discussed.
Amorim respects Sporting… and so it depends on club to club negotiation now.
Exit clause for top clubs is around €10m. pic.twitter.com/zTRdbbGeNg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024
Ruben Amorim as a manager
Amorim’s current assignment has led the Sporting to two Portuguese league titles, three Portuguese League Cups, and the Portuguese Super Cup since his appointment in March 2020. Before this, he was also in charge of SC Braga and Casa Pia. During the summer, he was also linked as Liverpool’s next manager before Arne Slott assumed the role at Anfield.
At Sporting he has shown a preference for a 3-4-3 formation and brought in exciting talents to the team. He has also shown preference for a fluid front three who can change positions regularly and that will suit the style of playing for United’s forwards Amad Diallo, Alejando Garnach and Marcus Rashford.
Ever since he found his formation, especially the back three, Amorim has been able to produce the kind of football he believes in and has never looked back. His coaching style even earned him praise from the former Liverpool defender Abel Xavier. After witnessing his coaching style first hand, Xavier mentioned that his “ clear mindset” is what sets him apart from the rest.
Over time, he has earned a reputation for improving players’ individual styles, and that is one of the big reasons that Amorim has become one of the most sought-after young coaches in Europe. In 2018, the Portuguese manager completed a performance internship under Jose Mourinho, then Man United’s top boss, at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s biggest achievement in Portugal was ending the 19-year trophy drought at Sporting. Given that United has struggled to get into the knockouts recently, and though Ten Hag did bring an end to United’s six-year trophyless timeline, the next step would be to re-establish themselves in domestic and European football. He holds the ability to revamp United and get back in the title race. The Portuguese manager will have a daunting task on his hands, but only time will tell how good he is for United.
