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Rob Dawson, correspondent
Ruben Amorim has emerged as the main contender to succeed Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, a source has told ESPN.
The Sporting CP coach is aware of the interest, according to the source, as is his club, with United trying to move quickly to appoint a new permanent manager after appointing Ruud van Nistelrooy as caretaker manager.
Ten Hag was sacked on Monday following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday. A source has told ESPN that United will have to pay a fee of around £10 million to release Amorim from his contract at Sporting Lisbon.
The source added that United had also inquired about the availability of Brentford manager Thomas Frank. Frank’s release clause at Gtech Community Stadium is almost double that of Amorim.
Amorim was also linked with the Liverpool job before Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer and held talks with West Ham before appointing Julen Lopetegui.
The 39-year-old former Portuguese international has been at the helm of Sporting Lisbon since 2020. He won the Portuguese title in 2021 and 2024 despite stiff competition from FC Porto and Benfica.
Amorim has also been linked with Manchester City after Sporting Lisbon director of football Hugo Viana agreed to take over from his City counterpart Txiki Begiristain at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
Speaking on Monday, Amorim was coy about his links to the United job.
“I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I will always have to comment,” he said. “I’m very proud to be coach of Sporting, that’s all.”
Frank also held a press conference on Monday and was equally tight-lipped about interest from Old Trafford.
“It’s a very delicate question,” Frank said. “I have a responsibility to Brentford, the club and the fans. I’ve said it many times, I’m very happy here, I think it’s one of the best clubs in the world.
“What will happen in the future, who knows. But I’m very, very happy here.”
