Man United hope to hire Rúben Amorim for Chelsea clash - sources

Manchester United are hoping to finalise a deal with Rúben Amorim to become their new manager in time for the Sporting CP coach to take charge of their  Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday, sources have told ESPN.

Amorim, 39, has been identified by the United hierarchy as the No. 1 candidate to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked after 2½ years in charge on Monday following a 2-1 defeat at West Ham which left the team in 14th position in the table.

And with United prepared to pay the €10 million ($10.7 million) release clause in Amorim's contract with Portuguese champions Sporting, sources have said that an agreement could be reached ahead of the weekend encounter with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Sporting play Nacional in a Taca da Liga quarterfinal at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday evening and reports in Portugal have said that Sporting expect a United delegation to be in Lisbon to accelerate negotiations after the game.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, hired as assistant manager to Ten Hag during the summer, has been named as interim head coach by United until a permanent appointment is made and the former United and Real Madrid forward will be in charge for the  Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

However, it is likely that the Leicester game will be Van Nistelrooy's only fixture in charge if talks with Sporting and Amorim continue to move at pace.

Amorim has guided Sporting to two league titles since arriving at the club from Braga in 2020. Prior to Amorim's appointment, Sporting had endured a 19-year wait to end their title drought.

The former Portugal midfielder was considered by Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and West Ham for their vacant managerial roles last season before committing his future to Sporting at the end of last season.

However, reports in Portugal have said that Sporting are now preparing for Amorim's departure this week by lining up the club's B-team coach João Pereira to take charge for the rest of the season.

Amorim has drawn praise for the job he's done at Sporting from Man United captain Bruno Fernandes.

"Since coach Amorim arrived to Sporting they became one of the teams that play better and most consistent football. I think the signings have been right, and they are in a very good moment. They've won last year and this season have started leading in the standings. It's a very well-prepared team," he said at a news conference with Portugal earlier this month.

"Regarding Mr. Amorim, I spoke about him several times and I said that at this moment he is well prepared because it is not easy to win titles at Sporting. Sporting was 20 years without winning trophies. Mr. Amorim came and won two and that proves his work has been good.

"Now, if he will be able to do the same in England or Spain or anywhere else? We'll never know until he gets there but I'm sure that Mr. Amorim qualities are there in everyone's eyes."