Manchester United are targeting Ruben Amorim but would be wise to have backup targets in mind in case the Sporting boss can’t be secured.
There is a change in the Manchester United dugout after the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
United were beaten 2-1 at West Ham United on Sunday as a late, controversial penalty handed the Hammers all three points.
Ineos wasted little time in wielding the axe as Ten Hag was given his marching orders by midday on Monday.
Everybody wanted this season to really be a bounce back campaign for Ten Hag, but it just hasn’t turned out that way.
Ineos are now left to appoint their first manager at United and one name continues to be mentioned.
- READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes breaks silence first as Erik ten Hag is sacked as Manchester United manager
Guillem Balague makes Ruben Amorim claim
Reports on Monday suggested that Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has verbally agreed to join United.
United must still agree compensation for Amorim amid claims that there is a release clause in his contract.
United are seemingly focusing on Amorim as the top target but it will take a lot for him to leave Sporting given his emotional connection to the club.
Reporter Guillem Balague now claims that United have indeed approached another manager – and it’s another Portuguese boss.
Balague claims that United have targeted Fulham boss Marco Silva with Amorim potentially waiting it out.
Balague believes that Amorim may hang fire and wait for the Manchester City job to become available next summer.
Pep Guardiola could leave City and they have Sporting’s director of football Hugo Viana arriving in the same role at the end of the season.
There is a clear connection between Amorim and Viana, but there is little to suggest that City are even thinking about a new manager, never mind specifically Amorim.
We would suggest that there is nothing for United to worry about just yet.
There are always going to be so many rumours around the United job and this is just another one.
If Amorim doesn’t join United, it is more likely to be down to his love for Sporting rather than thinking that another job will arrive next summer.
United may be trying to negotiate Amorim’s release clause and rumours like this may well be tactics to push United into paying the full amount.
Ineos certainly won’t be panicking right now and probably won’t be putting too much stock into rumours linking Amorim with City.
Marco Silva speculation has some credence
As for Silva, this will feel like a major come down from Amorim.
Silva is doing a great job at Fulham but isn’t a young, title-winning coach like Amorim.
There has though been prior speculation regarding a move for Silva with Ineos seemingly a fan of his work.
Silva held face-to-face talks with United over the summer according to one report, which was backed up by the Daily Mail.
Even earlier in October, Silva was mentioned as a potential target for United if Ten Hag was to leave.
There may be something in United’s interest in Silva, but we would still make Amorim the clear number one target at this stage.
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