Amorim to clarify stance on Man United job today

Sporting Lisbon Manager, Ruben Amorim, says there will be “clarification” over his expected move to Manchester United after Sporting’s game against Estrela today, reports the BBC.

Amorim is expected to remain in charge at the Portuguese side until the next international break from November 11 to 19.

There remains confusion over whether a deal has been completed for Amorim to take over at Old Trafford after Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday.

“It’s a negotiation between two clubs, it’s never easy,” Amorim, 39, said.

United board member, Sir Dave Brailsford, told fans: “It’s done,” as he arrived for Wednesday’s EFL Cup win with Leicester, and posed for a photograph. This information has been corroborated by additional sources from Portugal.

However, Sporting officials are adamant there is still no official deal and talks are continuing.
Manchester United have refused to comment. “Even with the clauses, it’s never easy, they have to talk and we will have clarification after the game, it will be very clear,” Amorim added.

“So it’s one more day after the game tomorrow, we will have a decision made.”

Sporting have a key Champions League encounter with Manchester City on Tuesday, and play Amorim’s former club Braga in the league on November 10, before European top-flight football pauses for Nations League games.

Sporting have won all nine of their league fixtures this season and hold a three-point lead over rivals Benfica at the top of the table.

On Tuesday, they beat Nacional 3-1 in the Portuguese League Cup, but Amorim admitted recent speculation over his future has destabilised the squad.

“I know my players and I’m honest with you when I say that they weren’t normal. I realised they were nervous and anxious about the news, with a series of tough games coming up,” Amorim said.

“They know me so well. I’ve proved that I’ll defend them until the last minute. But there are things I can’t control.

“There are things that we can’t control, the clubs are negotiating. It’s not the coach’s decision.”

As Amorim stood up to leave yesterday’s news conference he was asked what he liked about the Premier League – “everything,” he said with a smile.

Financial rules around Sporting mean they have to confirm to the Lisbon Stock Exchange when an agreement has been reached for him to leave.

Ruud van Nistelrooy conducted his first news conference since being appointed as United’s interim manager yesterday.

After the victory over Leicester, Van Nistelrooy said he was willing to continue working at the club “in any capacity.”

United have home league matches against Chelsea on Sunday and Leicester on November 10, before the international break, split by a Europa League tie with Greek side PAOK, at Old Trafford, on November 7.

They head to newly promoted Ipswich, managed by former United coach, Kieran McKenna, immediately after the international break.

Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt could be Amorim’s first Old Trafford opposition in the Europa League on November 28, with a Premier League game against Everton the following weekend.