- Manchester United is in talks with Sporting Club about manager Ruben Amorim
- Sporting announced on Tuesday that United were willing to pay his release clause
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Manchester Untied have made it very clear that they believe Ruben Amorim is the man to take their club forward, although the true price of their choice has now been revealed.
United have been circling Amorim in recent days following the departure of Erik ten Hag on Monday following a very disappointing start to his third season at the helm.
United remain in discussions with Sporting over their head coach – who has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs over the past 18 months – with the former Portugal international’s notice period said to be an issue.
It is believed his notice period is a matter of weeks rather than days, meaning that even if a deal could be pushed through within the next 24 hours, it is highly unlikely he will be in the dugout for United’s on Sunday match against Chelsea.
The Premier League side are also thought to be open to Amorim bringing his coaching staff with him, although the cost of such an undertaking has now been revealed.
Manchester United are in talks with Sporting Club over a deal for manager Ruben Amorim
Amorim guided Sporting to the first Portuguese crown in 19 years in the 2020/21 season
Man United’s co-owners of Ineos are currently cutting costs at the club to increase financial efficiency
If United were to land Amorim, they would have to pay the £8.3 million release clause in his contract. However, Sporting have already revealed that the Red Devils have informed them that they are prepared to do just that.
But welcoming his coaching staff to Old Trafford will reportedly cost the club a further £4.3 million, meaning the total cost of appointing Amorim would be almost £13 million.
Splurging on an eight-figure sum could raise eyebrows given Ineos’ recent cost-cutting measures.
United’s new co-owners have sought to reduce overhead costs at the club since their arrival in a bid to increase efficiency at Old Trafford.
One such move emerged last weekend after it emerged that the Red Devils had contacted Manchester City chiefs over whether their arch-rivals could transfer their Kopa Trophy nominees Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – a call that was unsurprisingly fell on deaf ears.
However, Amorim would at least be a spend that naysayers might understand, given that he is one of the most highly rated emerging coaches on the continent after his stellar work at Sporting.
However, a deal to bring Amorim and his coaching staff to Old Trafford would cost the club almost £13 million
The 39-year-old ended the club’s 19-year wait for a Portuguese top-flight title in 2020-2021, before securing a second crown in 2023-2024.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has temporarily taken charge of the club for the Carabao Cup match against Leicester
His side have also started their title defense in the best possible way, with nine wins in a row – which is just as well as rivals Porto have also made a blistering start with eight wins from nine.
In the absence of a full-time manager, former striker and assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken on interim management.