Man United’s pursuit of Ruben Amorim is waved through by rivals Man City, as sources claim he is NOT a target to replace Pep Guardiola this summer
Manchester United goalkeeper Ruben Amorim is not among the names considered by Man City as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, Mail Sport understands.
The Red Devils entered into discussions with Sporting Lisbon for Amorim on Monday, because the club is pursuing a quick appointment after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
It is understood Amorim was planning to leave Sporting at the end of the season but was informed of United’s interest earlier this month and has had two rounds of talks.
The 39-year-old has also been linked with reigning Premier League champions Man City if Guardiola opts to leave the club in the summer at the end of his contract.
However, Mail Sport understands that Amorim is not being considered despite his relationship with Hugo Viana.
Man United goalkeeper Ruben Amorim is not considered by Man City as Pep Guardiola’s successor
Man City wants the next coach to match the playing style of Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain (left)
Sporting’s Hugo Viana will succeed Begiristain, creating links between Man City and Amorim
Man City reached a deal earlier this month that will see Viana, a former Newcastle midfielder, take over as sporting director at the end of the season.
He will succeed Txiki Begiristain when the well-known sporting director leaves Man City.
Viana has held the same role at Sporting and made the key decision to pay more than £10m to sign Amorim from Braga in 2020.
The decision was seen as the catalyst for their dominance in Portugal in recent seasons.
Despite the belief in Portugal that Amorim and Viana would work together again in England, Manchester City are believed to prefer their next coach to align with Guardiola and Begiristain’s playing style.
Amorim had played down suggestions earlier this month that he could follow Viana to Manchester City.
“We haven’t talked about that because they are two completely different paths,” he said.
“I know people have made that connection. Viana’s path is Viana’s path. My path is my path.
Amorim had this month played down suggestions that he could follow Viana to Man City
Amorim has won two league titles with Sporting and has been courted by Liverpool and West Ham
“We only have a professional relationship that won’t last forever, but it’s certain the friendship will last.”
The 39-year-old is said to be ‘familiar’ with his 3-4-3 formation that he adopted with great success at Sporting.
Sporting have won two league titles under Amorim, winning nine consecutive games at the start of this domestic season.
The Portuguese giants are also eighth in the early Champions League standings, after an unbeaten start to the competition.
Amorim’s team defeated Lille and Sturm Graz in the competition phase and drew with PSV.
Sporting face Man City in their next Champions League match on November 5.
Mail Sport revealed last week that Amorim was one of four targets if Ten Hag was dropped, and United announced on Monday morning that the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford was over.
His assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy has been given temporary charge but United quickly opened talks with Amorim and Sporting about activating the £8.5m release clause in his contract in Portugal.
The 39-year-old, who was interviewed about the vacancies at Liverpool and West Ham earlier this year, is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils fired Erik ten Hag after he dropped to fourteenth place in the Premier League
Asked about ties with United after Ten Hag’s dismissal, he said on Monday: ‘I expected this question and I am obviously not going to talk about the future, otherwise I would always have to comment. I’m very proud to be a sports coach, that’s all.’
United made the decision to sack Ten Hag while the club were in 14th place in the Premier League after Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, and in the bottom half of the Europa League.
He was called to a meeting with CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth in Carrington on Monday morning and informed of the decision.
The 54-year-old Dutchman, who is expected to receive up to £15 million in compensation, flew to the Netherlands on a private jet around lunchtime.