Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Ruben Amorim over becoming their next manager after the sacking of Erik ten Hag, according to reports.
That would come as a huge blow to Manchester City, who had reportedly pinpointed the Sporting manager as their ideal replacement for Pep Guardiola, should he leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
United sacked Ten Hag on Monday morning after a gruelling yet short meeting with CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth.
It came after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham left the Red Devils 14th in the Premier League, while they have yet to win in the Europa League this season either.
Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday morning
Reuters
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in interim charge until a permanent successor has been found.
And United are not wasting any time after identifying their top target to replace Ten Hag with talks opened with Amorim over the position.
According to talkSPORT, United have reached a verbal agreement with Amorim over the vacancy, though nothing has been signed on paper yet.
Nevertheless, the Old Trafford outfit have already indicated that they are willing to fork out compensation to get their man.
The 39-year-old as a reported £8.3million release clause at Sporting.
Amorim has been widely praised as one of the best young coaches in football and his Sporting side have won all nine matches this season and are renowned for their attacking flair.
JUST IN: Inside gruelling Man Utd meeting that saw Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada sack Erik ten Hag
It had seen him strongly linked with a move to City, who are drawing up potential replacements for Guardiola.
The Catalan coach will see his contract expire at the end of the season and there is no indication yet that he is willing to extend his stay at the Etihad.
After sporting director Hugo Viana was pinched from Sporting to replace Txiki Begiristain, who is close to Guardiola and will leave at the end of the season, it appeared a double-deal could be done with the manager as well.
READ MORE: David de Gea twists the knife on Erik ten Hag with simple message
Ruben Amorim is United’s top target to replace Erik ten Hag
PA
But City might have to draw up a new shortlist if Guardiola departs with Amorim now looking close to becoming the next United boss.
The Portuguese coach has been linked with Premier League clubs before and had been on Liverpool and Chelsea’s shortlist before they went for Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca respectively this year.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Ruben Amorim was high on City’s shortlist to replace Pep Guardiola
PA
Amorim has won two league titles in Portugal, breaking Benfica and Porto’s stranglehold over the division.
He also has three Taca da Liga trophies, the Portuguese equivalent of the League Cup, one with Braga and two with Sporting.
Ten Hag had spent just over two seasons at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his tenure but ultimately losing his job this year after a shoddy start to the campaign.