‘Trying to convince’: What United are telling Amorim behind the scenes to sway him away from potential City job

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim has agreed in principle to succeed Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

It’s been a quickly developing story since the club confirmed only this morning that Ten Hag had been relieved of his duties after two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, with Sunday’s 2-1 loss to West Ham United ultimately proving to be the final nail in the coffin.

For now, Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken the reins on an interim basis ahead of Wednesday’s fourth-round Carabao Cup tie at home to Leicester City. Four days later, United host an in-form, fifth-placed Chelsea side.

Speculation has been rife over who will permanently fill the hot seat in M16. The lack of available managers led to United considering a potential reunion with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who left the club in November 2021 following a dismal run of form – though not as poor as Ten Hag’s, as he leaves the club 14th-placed in the Premier League, as well as 21st in the Europa League standings.

Amorim agrees to succeed Ten Hag at Old Trafford

Tonight, numerous reports have revealed that Amorim is indeed open to swapping Sporting for the Red Devils, despite his current terms running until 2026. In turn, INEOS chiefs would have to fork out his £8.3 million release clause to buy him out of the contract.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United working on deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach. #MUFC ready to pay €10m release clause + in talks with #SportingCP to finalise. 39yo Portuguese open to accepting move. W/ @AdamCrafton_ @lauriewhitwell @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/zDxEd0SmBa

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) October 28, 2024

The 39-year-old, who was previously of interest to Liverpool and Barcelona, had been ‘earmarked’ as Manchester City’s ‘prime target’ to replace Pep Guardiola in the event that he chooses to depart when his contract expires next summer, according to Manchester Evening News.

However, United have been ‘trying to convince’ Amorim that City will become a ‘fading force’ if the Spaniard pulls the curtains on his Etihad tenure in 2025. 

It remains to be seen if Guardiola, a six-time Premier League winner, will opt to extend his stay in Manchester, having joined the club in 2016 and won everything on offer to him in England.