If Manchester United took too long to act on Erik ten Hag, then the Premier League giants could not be accused of dragging out their pursuit over a successor.
Initially, until rumours of Ruben Amorim’s likely appointment emerged later on Monday, it was difficult to see where the Red Devils would turn.
Those available in the here and now – former Barcelona boss Xavi has been linked with the Man United job with increasing frequency over the last few days – may have reservations about taking on what could initially be an interim role.
Those also on Manchester United’s hitlist – see Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and the aforementioned Amorim – are under contract elsewhere. It was first thought that all three – Amorim has reportedly verbally agreed to leave Sporting for United – may also take some convincing.
And there were also those, having registered on the radar over the summer when Ineos first considered moving on Erik ten Hag, for whom the ship has already sailed.
Take Enzo Maresca, for instance.
Manchester United looked at Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Gary Neville may have wanted to see Mauricio Pochettino in the Old Trafford hotseat, but it is his Chelsea successor who found himself in contention in the immediate aftermath of that unexpected FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Reporter Ben Jacobs, taking to X to share his view on the situation, believes that Kieran McKenna was not the only Championship-based head coach who earned the admiration of the Man United bosses.
United held talks with Ipswich Town ‘genius’ McKenna before opting – wrongly, as it turned out – to keep the faith with the now-departed Dutchman.
And Jacobs claims that the man who beat Ipswich to the second tier title – then-Leicester City tactician Enzo Maresca – caught the eye himself.
The sight of Maresca leaving Leicester for Chelsea and quickly putting his own stamp on a previously underachieving Blues squad, meanwhile, only served to further highlight Ten Hag’s failures at another fallen Premier League giant in search of leadership and an identity.
Maresca’s commitment to a heavy-possession style and his excellent communication skills are likely to have been two attributes which appealed greatly to Ineos.
And while the former Manchester City youth coach is obviously no longer in contention – Maresca is only a few months into a five-year contract and Chelsea would never countenance a departure to a direct rival – it should come as no surprise to see United prioritise a coach with plenty of similarities to the 44-year-old Italian.
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim likely to take Old Trafford gig
In short; a young, ambitious, forward-thinking head coach. One capable of laying down a clear, coherent, possession-based gameplan, while handling a young but high-profile squad of players.
Ruben Amorim, then, ticks just about every box imaginable.
“I think he really has done amazing,” ex-Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge said after watching Chelsea rock up to Anfield and outplay Liverpool on their own soil during the opening 45 minutes.
“To implement his style in such a short space of time… In midfield, they look more sure. Going forward, they’re so exciting. All across the pitch they have improved.”
United will be hoping that Amorim can make a similarly swift impact.
TBR understands that the Red Devils were never against the idea of buying a manager already in work elsewhere out of his current contract. As such, the man now at the front of the queue was always likely to be in contention.
Former Portugal international Amorim has led Sporting to nine wins out of nine domestically this term. The two-time Primeira Liga champion was reluctant to pour fuel on the fire when asked again about the United job earlier in the day. But, only a few hours later, his refusal to give much away now suggests he knew the storm was coming.
“I’m not going to talk about my future. I said from day one that I wouldn’t comment,” Amorim said, keeping the.
“I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
