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 target Ruben Amorim has not been among the names considered by Man City as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, Mail Sport understands.

The Red Devils entered talks with Sporting Lisbon on Monday for Amorim, as the club seeks a swift appointment following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

It is understood that Amorim was planning to leave Sporting at the end of the season, but was made aware 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 Amorim is not under consideration, despite his relationship with Hugo Viana.

Man City want their next coach to align to Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain’s, left, style of play

Sporting’s Hugo Viana is set to succeed Begiristain, leading to Man City links to Amorim

Man City agreed a deal earlier this month for Viana, a former Newcastle midfielder, to take over as sporting director at the end of the season.

He will succeed Txiki Begiristain when the renowned sporting director steps down at Man City. 

Viana has held the same role at Sporting and made the key decision to pay more than £10million to take Amorim from Braga in 2020.

The decision has been seen as the catalyst for their spell of dominance in Portugal in recent seasons.

Despite a belief in Portugal that Amorim and Viana would link-up again in England, it is understood Man City prefer for their next coach to align to Guardiola and Begiristain’s style of play.

Amorim had played down suggestions he could follow Viana to Man City earlier this month.

‘We didn’t talk about that because they are two completely different paths,’ he said.

‘I know that people made that connection. Viana’s path is Viana’s path. My path is my path. 

Amorim had played down suggestions this month that he could follow Viana to Man City

Amorim has won two league titles with Sporting and was courted by Liverpool and West Ham 

‘We only have a professional relationship that won’t last forever, but it’s certain that the friendship will last.’ 

The 39-year-old is said to be ‘wedded’ to his 3-4-3 formation which he has adopted with great success at Sporting.

Sporting have won two league titles under Amorim and have won nine successive matches at the start of this domestic season.

The Portuguese giants are also eighth in the early Champions League table after making an unbeaten start to the competition.

Amorim’s side have beaten Lille and Sturm Graz in the league phase of the competition, as well as drawing 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 axed, 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 put in temporary charge, but United swiftly opened talks with Amorim and Sporting over triggering the £8.5millon release clause in his contract in Portugal.

The 39-year-old, who was interviewed over the managerial vacancies at Liverpool and West Ham earlier this year, is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag after slipping to 14th in the Premier League table

Asked about the links to United in the wake of Ten Hag’s sacking, he said on Monday: ‘I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment. I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.’

United took the decision to sack Ten Hag with the club lying 14th in the Premier League following Sunday’s defeat at West Ham, and in the bottom half of the Europa League.

He was summoned to a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth at Carrington on Monday morning and informed of the decision.

The 54-year-old Dutchman, who is expected to receive up to £15m in compensation, flew to Holland on a private jet around lunchtime.