Ineos have made their second big decision at Manchester United, the first being keeping Erik ten Hag in the summer, by sacking Erik ten Hag now.
Needless to say, that summer decision looks a bit silly now but only with the benefit of hindsight, as there was an argument to be made that Ten Hag be allowed time under the new structure.
However, 14 games in, that assertion has been put to dust as Man Utd have somehow started on an even worse note than last season where putting 11 players on the pitch weekly was a struggle.
Now that the second big decision has been made, many Man Utd fans would say was long overdue, it’s time for the third, and the biggest one.
That is the decision on who replaces Ten Hag as Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in interim charge only.
There’s one manager who ‘ticks more Ineos boxes’ than any other, in Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim ‘ticks Ineos boxes’ at Man Utd
Since arriving at the club, Ineos have been insistent that the manager can’t be the all-conquering entity at the club.
That is why a structure was put in place above him so sacking Ten Hag and replacing him with an able name is the biggest test of that structure yet.
Their playbook has been to move towards younger players who play an attacking style of football with a manager who can work with this structure.
Manchester World reports that they believe Ruben Amorim ticks these boxes more than any other prospective candidate.
The report adds a disclaimer that the club knows very well how difficult it would be to prise him away from Sporting mid-season and they don’t want to write the season off.
He is among the list of contenders that also includes the likes of Thomas Frank and Xavi, while other out-of-work managers like Graham Potter might be sounded out too.
In fact, they might have to do that if Amorim’s stance on the United job is any indication.
Ruben Amorim stance on Man Utd job
Regardless of what has transpired post-Sir Alex Ferguson, it is unquestionable that the Man Utd job is one of the most prestigious openings in world football.
Especially now that the owners are ambitious and provide ample support for the manager with their new structure.
However, Independent reports that Amorim is reticent about leaving Sporting Lisbon in the middle of the season as he has established them among the heavyweights in the Portuguese league.
There is a huge buyout clause worth nearly €20 million in his contract for a foreign club which, when added to the cost of sacking Ten Hag, might force the club to look elsewhere.
There’s also the added factor of Hugo Viana, Sporting’s technical director being Man City-bound, leading to speculation that Amorim will follow him.
As things stand, it looks like they will have to look elsewhere in their search for a Ten Hag replacement.
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