Ruben Amorim WILL be Man United new manager as Sporting Lisbon announce £8.3m release clause is being paid – and United officials are in Lisbon now for his last game TONIGHT

Ruben Amorim is on the brink of becoming Manchester United‘s new manager after Sporting Lisbon released a statement confirming the English club’s interest in hiring their boss.

The Premier League giants began talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday afternoon following United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday. 

The Board of Directors for Sporting Lisbon reportedly highlighted the terms and conditions set out in employment contract between Amorim and the club – specifically the £8.3million release clause. 

According to Sport Lisbon’s statement, Manchester United registered an interested in paying the value of the aforementioned clause to secure Amorim’s services sooner rather than later.

Ten Hag guided United to their worst ever start to a Premier League season, and with three draws from winning positions in the Europa League from three games, results seemingly were not picking up.

Amorim, meanwhile, has picked up plaudits in recent years for his exceptional work in the Portuguese capital, ended Sporting Club’s 19-year wait for a league title in 2020-21, before winning the top-flight again last year. 

Sporting Lisbon are set to host Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup later tonight, with many speculating as to whether Amorim will be involved.

Ahead of the tie, Amorim had been asked about links to United in the wake of Ten Hag’s sacking.

‘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,’ Amorim said on Monday. ‘I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.’ 

The fixture could be Amorim’s final match in charge, with Portuguese newspaper Record reporting the 39-year-old could then travel to England on Wednesday.

More to follow…