Manchester United look set to appoint Sporting boss Ruben Amorim as their new manager as the Portuguese club have released a statement to confirm the Red Devils have been in contact. The 13-time Premier League champions have been on the hunt for a new manager since sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday.

United have suffered a woeful start to the season and have fallen to 14th in the Premier League table after winning just three of their opening nine matches.

Ten Hag’s final game in charge came at the London Stadium on Sunday as his team were defeated 2-1 by West Ham.

United have acted swiftly to replace Ten Hag. And Sporting’s statement read: “Manchester United FC expressed an interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, with the board of directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of Euro 10million.

The Portuguese club then confirmed that United had agreed to pay the fee as they added: “Manchester United FC expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of the aforementioned clause.”

Amorim has been in charge of Sporting since March 2020 and guided the club to Primeira Liga title glory last season after clinching a league and League Cup double during his maiden campaign at the helm.

The 39-year-old is contracted to Sporting until 2026 and turned down the opportunity to manage West Ham in the summer. He was also linked with a move to Liverpool before the Merseyside giants opted to appoint Arne Slot.

“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” United wrote in a statement on Monday.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

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