Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed he will provide an update on his reported move to Manchester United following Friday’s Primeira Liga match against Estrela Amadora. The Portuguese coach dropped a clear hint of his next destination after unsurprisingly fielding questions about a United switch during his press conference.
Amorim will reportedly take charge of three more Sporting matches before becoming Erik ten Hag’s permanent replacement at Old Trafford.
The first of which falls on Friday night as the Lions attempt to continue a perfect start to their title defence, having won all nine of their opening matches, scoring 30 goals and conceding just twice.
Ahead of the clash, which is expected to be Amorim’s league farewell at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, he confirmed that clarification will arrive after full-time.
“It’s a negotiation between two clubs, it’s never easy,” Amorim explained in Lisbon on Thursday afternoon.
“Even with the clauses, it’s never easy, they have to talk, and we will have clarification after the game. It will be very clear. So it’s one more day after the game tomorrow, we will have a decision made.”
Before leaving the media room, an English reporter snuck in a follow-up question, asking the 39-year-old what he liked about the Premier League.
Amorim dropped a teaser that he was Premier League-bound by responding with a cheeky smile, stating: “Everything.”
United have reportedly reached an agreement with Sporting, who were digging their heels in over their highly-rated manager’s exit.
The Red Devils are believed to have paid around £2million on top of Amorim’s £8.3m release clause to lower his 30-day notice period and recruit his desired coaching staff.
As part of the settlement, Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain interim manager for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea and next week’s meetings with PAOK and Leicester City.
Amorim is expected to enter the dugout for the first time on Sunday, November 24, when United travel to Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.
Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a liberating first night in caretaker charge of United, thrashing Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Ten Hag’s side never scored five or more goals in a single game against Premier League opposition, marking it a special night at Old Trafford.
He will now be tasked with building the momentum with a few more positive results before Amorim enters the hot seat.
Sandwiched between his final two league games against Estrela Amadora and Braga, all eyes will be on Amorim when Sporting host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
