When it became apparent that Man City were hiring Hugo Viana, the odds on Ruben Amorim replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United got a whole lot longer.
But as they shortened again dramatically over the last 24 hours – Man United have reportedly secured a verbal agreement with the Sporting Lisbon boss as Ruben Amorim emerges as the odds-on Ten Hag successor – it appears that any concerns over his potential appointment at the Etihad Stadium were rather premature.
Depending on who you believe, either Amorim was not as high up Man City’s post-Pep Guardiola wishlist as first thought, or the timing simply didn’t work.
Either way, with talks over a move to Old Trafford ‘very advanced’ for the ex-Portugal international, the red side of Manchester will soon be home to arguably the finest young tactician on the current market.
According to Caught Offside, Amorim expressed his admiration to Man City after the reigning Premier League champions mulled over bringing him to the Etihad alongside Sporting director Viana. He reportedly ‘thanked’ City for their interest before opening the door to bitter rivals Manchester United.
How serious City’s interest really was, however, is another matter.
ESPN believe that the man who ended Sporting’s 19-year wait for a league title – and will arrive at a Man United side enduring quite the drought themselves – was never as likely to get the Man City gig as some had suggested.
Despite the Viana connection, some at the Etihad feel that Amorim’s preferred three-at-the-back system would not suit a squad set up to play with a defensive four.
What’s more, City’s priority remains convincing Guardiola to extend a contract which expires at the end of the current campaign.
Man United, in contrast, need a manager in the here and now, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge of Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash with Leicester City.
Chelsea’s arrival at Old Trafford on November 3rd is likely to come too soon for Amorim. But the upcoming international break could allow the 39-year-old some time to settle into life in England’s north west before a hectic fixture schedule either side of the festive period.
United have home games against PAOK, Bodo/Glimt, Leicester [again], Everton and Nottingham Forest on the horizon. Amorim, then, could certainly be arriving amid a more daunting list of fixtures.
Portuguese reporter explains why Ruben Amorim is ‘right’ for United
“Sporting fans must have reacted with suspicion [when United sacked Erik ten Hag] because, after all, they know what they have on the bench,” Portuguese reporter Luis Pedro Ferreira writes in his A Bola column.
“And [the Sporting supporters know that] Ruben Amorim is the kind of coach that Manchester United needs.
“Make no mistake; the Red Devils are one of the biggest clubs in the world. With a new management, United need a coach who knows how to turn things around. Someone who understands what a big club is, who can unite in communication and produce football that gets results.
“On paper, Ruben is right.”
Amorim has Sporting flying high at the top of the Portuguese table with nine wins from nine at present.
Inspired by the relentless goalscoring of star striker Viktor Gyokeres, The Lions have hit the target 30 times while conceding only twice despite operating on a fraction of the budget enjoyed by Benfica and FC Porto.
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