Man United are closing in on the appointment of Ruben Amorim as manager, amid reports he could take charge of the Red Devils this weekend.
The Premier League giants are in talks with Sporting Lisbon over Amorim, with the club making quick progress.
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly expected to only take charge of one match having been placed in temporary charge on Monday following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman will lead the club in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday against Leicester City, but the tie is expected to be his only match as interim boss.
According to the Times, Amorim could be in place for Man United’s next Premier League match this Sunday against Chelsea.
Sporting are set to host Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday night.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that Manchester United will send three officials to Lisbon today to seal an agreement with Amorim immediately after the match.
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.
The report claims Man United are keen to finalise a deal with the hope Amorim could take charge – rather than observe – their next Premier League match.
Man United host Chelsea on Sunday at Old Trafford in a high-profile Premier League clash.
The Red Devils will be hoping to recover from a nightmare start to the season, with the club languishing in 14th in the table.
Ten Hag oversaw three wins, two draws and four defeats in the top flight this season prior to his dismissal.
The results have left Man United already seven points adrift of the Premier League top four and six behind Sunday’s visitors Chelsea.
Man United would have to pay £8.5million to secure Amorim due to a release clause in his contract.
Sporting have reportedly already lined up Amorim’s successor with the club currently top of the Primeira Liga having won their opening nine matches.
The Portuguese giants are expected to appoint Joao Pereira to take charge of the team, according to A Bola.
The outlet state that the club have already precautionary plans for Pereira to be elevated from his role as manager of the club’s B team.
Pereira had three spells as a player at Sporting during his career, with the right back part of their title winning team under Amorim in 2021.
Source:www.dailymail.co.uk