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3 weeks ago
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Manchester United chiefs are currently locked in negotiations with first-choice Erik ten Hag successor Ruben Amorim – but that’s not to say they’re not sounding out alternatives.
Reports were coming in thick and fast yesterday as the club’s key decision-makers officially ignited their pursuit of Amorim, who is contracted to Sporting Lisbon until 2026.
As such, they will have to pay his release clause – thought to be in the region of £8.3 million – to terminate his obligations to the Liga Portugal outfit, which is something they’re willing to do considering the significant lack of options available on the free agent market.
The 39-year-old has also been earmarked as Manchester City’s No.1 candidate to potentially replace Pep Guardiola in the event that he leaves upon his contract expiry next year. In order to prevent him from leaning towards an Etihad move, United executives informed Amorim that their rivals would become a ‘fading force’ when the six-time Premier League winner eventually departs.
As well as Amorim: INEOS sound out London-based manager
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Amidst negotiations, United have also made an approach for a top-flight manager – and one that they’d previously spoken to while debating Ten Hag’s future before the campaign began. Guillem Balague claims INEOS have touched base with Marco Silva while simultaneously working to finalise Amorim’s arrival.
Silva got the better of Ten Hag towards the back end of last season; Fulham overturned the floundering Reds 2-1 on their home turf to claim their first Old Trafford win in 21 years and after 16 attempts.
The former Everton coach, whom Julen Lopetegui hailed for his ‘fantastic work’ in West London, is currently holding 10th place with the Cottagers, having won three, drawn three and lost three in their opening nine matches.
Still, you’d expect that Amorim is the most likely to take the reins in M16, given that there is already an agreement in principle between both parties.
