Ruben Amorim says “no decision has been made” on his future as Manchester United step up their bid to make him their new head coach.
The Athletic exclusively reported on Monday that United were working on a deal to appoint Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor.
Sporting issued a statement on Tuesday confirming United’s interest in paying Amorim’s €10million (£8.6m) release clause, with the 39-year-old Portuguese keen on pursuing the opportunity to take over at Old Trafford.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday after Sporting beat Nacional to reach the semi-finals of the Portuguese League Cup, Amorim refused to reveal whether he had decided to leave the club.
“Listen to the club statement and that’s all there is at the moment,” he said.
“There’s interest from Manchester United in paying a clause and then, when I have something more concrete, I’ll come here and make a decision because it’s always my choice, as long as everything hasn’t been decided one way or the other.
“I’ll do what I want, what I want to do, as I’ve always done throughout my time as a player and coach.”
He added: “No decision has been made at the moment.”
Asked whether he expects to take charge of Sporting’s next match against Estrela da Amadora on Friday evening, Amorim said: “I can’t promise anything. Let’s see what happens in the future.”
Ten Hag, 54, was sacked earlier on Monday after overseeing Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United to leave the club 14th in the Premier League table after nine games played.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in temporary charge with United facing Leicester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Dutchman, who scored 150 goals for United across a five-year playing career at Old Trafford, will also take the side for Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea should United fail to appoint Amorim before the weekend.
Amorim joined Sporting from Braga in 2020 and won the league in his first full season in charge — ending the club’s 19-year wait for a title. He added a second league title last season and won the Portuguese League Cup. Sporting have won all nine of their leagues under Amorim so far this term.
The former Portugal midfielder was previously linked with a move to Merseyside to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor as Liverpool manager before Arne Slot was eventually appointed.
Prior to that, he travelled to London to hold discussions with West Ham United regarding the possibility of replacing then-manager David Moyes, before opting to remain in Lisbon.
GO DEEPER
Manchester United target Amorim is one of Europe’s most coveted tactical thinkers
(Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)
