Manchester United are closing in on appointing Ruben Amorim but the Sporting boss has endured a testing week in Lisbon.
This has been a huge week at Old Trafford.
Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat away at West Ham United.
Ten Hag paid the price for a poor start to the season both in the Premier League and the Europa League.
Ineos have wasted no time in finding a top target to replace Ten Hag though.
Portuguese side Sporting confirmed United’s approach for Ruben Amorim earlier this week.
Reports in Portugal suggest that United have agreed a deal to appoint Amorim, paying around £9.2million to land the 39-year-old.
Manchester United target calms Ruben Amorim chaos
Amorim won’t actually join up with United until the international break though, meaning Ruud van Nistelrooy will manage three more games as United’s interim boss.
The news of Amorim’s departure hasn’t exactly gone down well in Lisbon.
Reports from Portugal earlier this week suggested that Sporting players confronted Amorim over his move to United.
Some players chose to either sign or stay with Sporting over the summer in order to continue an exciting project under Amorim.
United have come calling and some players aren’t happy – but one man has helped calm the chaos.
Record claim that captain Morten Hjulmand halted a ‘dressing room revolt’ at Sporting and calmed the atmosphere in training.
This is backed up by Observador in Portugal, who claim that Hjulmand ‘set the tone’ in training and pulled the squad together amid questions over Amorim’s future.
The Dane has become a key man under Amorim and Hjulmand was actually linked with a move to United back in January.
Hjulmand was linked with United again in June and Amorim’s imminent arrival has left some wondering whether the former Lecce man could follow Amorim to Old Trafford.
Hjulmand has stepped up in a time of need for Sporting but whether Amorim lures him to United is another matter.
Manuel Ugarte may end Morten Hjulmand interest
Amorim’s move to United means that he will reunite with midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
The Uruguayan became a star under Amorim, earning his big move to Paris Saint-Germain in the process.
Ugarte only spent a year in Paris as United struck a deal to sign the midfielder in August, and he will now be back under Amorim again.
United fans will now expect Ugarte to play a vital role under Amorim and spending more cash on Hjulmand seems unlikely.
Amorim and Sporting signed Hjulmand to replace Ugarte, bringing real energy and defensive capabilities in the engine room.
Signing Hjulmand to partner Ugarte seems a little unlikely but the Dane’s leadership qualities are difficult to ignore – especially having pulled the Sporting squad together again this wek.
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