What Ruben Amorim has told Sporting about taking Man Utd job before Guardiola showdown

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Manchester United are looking to complete the hire of Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim.

Ruben Amorim will be the next Manchester United manager, once negotiations with Sporting are complete.

It is a question of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. Manchester United ideally want Amorim in charge as soon as possible.

But there are practical difficulties when it comes to hiring a manager mid-season, when he is already in post at another club.

Amorim to manage one last match

Ruben Amorim is set to manage one last match as Sporting manager. This takes place against Estrela Amadora on Friday night in the league, in front of their home fans.

Portuguese newspaper Record report he could then head to Manchester United at the weekend.

However, Sporting are yet to sign off on this, amid protracted financial negotiations over his exit, and his coaching staff.

Sporting’s next match on November 5 is a Champions League match against Manchester City.

• READ MORE: Manchester United manager history, trophies won, win percentage

Amorim wants to avoid City spotlight

United In Focus have been told via journalist Graeme Bailey that Ruben Amorim has expressly told Sporting that he does not wish to still be in charge when they take on City.

Amorim has told Sporting he feels the match could turn into a media circus, and be distracting to Sporting as a club.

Sporting want to keep him in charge until the international break, which commences after the weekend of November 10.

Considering the intense media spotlight on Amorim, his stance on the City game is a sensible one.

City were strongly linked with hiring Amorim as Pep Guardiola’s successor, and it appears Manchester United have beaten them to the punch.

And this adds a big narrative to the match, a Guardiola v Amorim spotlight, with Manchester focus, and with no service to Sporting whatsoever. It cannot be a positive for the Portuguese club.

Manchester United confident

Manchester United are optimistic an agreement can be reached over Ruben Amorim in time for the weekend.

Bailey adds that there is a strong chance Amorim will be in attendance at Old Trafford when Manchester United take on Chelsea this weekend, although Ruud van Nistelrooy would be in interim charge.

As for a showdown with Guardiola, this can then take place in early December, when United face City in the Premier League.

His first game as United boss could be in the Europa League against Greek side PAOK.