Nothing Decided Yet – Says Amorim Amid Manchester United Links

Ruben Amorim said Tuesday that “nothing is decided yet” after Manchester United made the Sporting Lisbon coach their top target to replace sacked manager Erik ten Hag.

United ended Ten Hag’s two-year tenure on Monday following a 2-1 loss to West Ham, which left one of the richest clubs in the world sitting 14th in the Premier League.

Amorim quickly emerged as the leading contender to replace the Dutchman and a statement issued by Sporting to the Lisbon stock exchange said United were willing to meet his 10 million euro (£8.3 million) release clause.

The 39-year-old was guarded when asked after Sporting’s League Cup win against Nacional on Tuesday night if that was his last match with the Portuguese club.

“Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet,” the Portuguese coach said, reported by sports daily A Bola.

Despite making significant investments in the summer transfer market, United have managed to win only one of their last eight matches across all competitions.

Former United striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, has been named interim boss but United appear to be concentrating on Amorim, who is considered one of Europe’s leading young coaches.

Since joining Sporting in March 2020, he has secured two Portuguese titles with the club.

Amorim had dismissed the speculation when quizzed on Monday ahead of the League Cup match.

“I’m not going to talk about my future,” he said. “I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting Lisbon.”