CONFIRMED: Man Utd say Amorim ‘deal is done’

Ruben Amorim will be Manchester United’s next manager, Sir Dave Brailsford has confirmed, although there is still doubt as to when the Sporting CP head coach will be able to take up his new post at Old Trafford.

Following the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Monday, which came in the wake of a 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham United, Man Utd have acted quickly to replace him with the highly rated Amorim.

Although there was speculation linking the Red Devils to a string of out-of-work managers, such as Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate and Xavi, the 39-year-old Portuguese quicky emerged as the club’s top target.

“It’s done, it’s done, it’s done,” Brailsford said outside Old Trafford when speaking to fans in a video caught on camera and posted on social media.

What will be Amorim’s first game in charge of Man Utd?

While Amorim is on his way to Manchester United, quite when he will be installed officially as manager is less clear.

Negotiations have proven to be somewhat tricky, with Sporting determined that they should not only get full value for their manager, but also his staff. As such, they are holding out for money in order to waive his 30-day notice period, and this means it could still be a couple of weeks before the coach finds himself in the Old Trafford hot seat.

Ben Jacobs reports: “Ruben Amorim is set to stay at Sporting until Braga on November 10. Portuguese sources insist an announcement could come as early as tomorrow [Thursday]. Both clubs declined to comment.

“Also understand that along with Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Jorge Vital, sports scientist Paulo Barreira and Emanuel Ferro are expected to join Man Utd with Amorim. Former two have been with him throughout his coaching journey.”

Should this prove accurate, it means that Amorim’s first match in charge of Man Utd will not be until after the November international break, with the Premier League trip to Ipswich Town the first game on his schedule.