Man Utd hit Amorim stumbling block

Cameron Smith

29 Oct 2024 16:45 GMT
3 min read

Manchester United’s hopes of appointing Ruben Amorim before their clash against Chelsea have taken a major hit.

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The Red Devils are in advanced negotiations to hire the 39-year-old as Erik ten Hag’s permanent replacement, with the club hoping to finalise an agreement before they face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea on Sunday.

However, Man Utd may be forced to wait until late November before Amorim is able to take charge of his first game.

That is according to The Daily Mail, who report that Amorim has a “notice period of a number of weeks, not days” included in his current Sporting contract.

Man Utd are attempting to negotiate with the Portuguese giants, but if they are unable to agree on an earlier termination of his Sporting deal, Amorim will not be in the Old Trafford dugout this weekend.

In fact, The Daily Mail state that Amorim’s first game in charge of Man Utd may come against Ipswich Town on 24 November if they are unable to reach an agreement with Sporting.

The Lisbon side have confirmed that Man Utd want to activate Amorim’s €10 million release clause and Fabrizio Romano has revealed that an agreement has been reached between the Red Devils and the Portuguese tactician.

However, Amorim’s start date at Old Trafford may be delayed by nearly a month due to his reported notice period.

© IMAGO - Ruben Amorim is expected to become the next permanent Manchester United manager

Bruno Fernandes on Ruben Amorim

While Amorim may not take charge of his first Man Utd game until late November, he already has the backing of club captain Bruno Fernandes.

The Red Devils attacking midfielder recently admitted: “Since Mr Amorim arrived at Sporting, it has been one of the teams to play the best football.

“They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment. It’s a very well prepared team.

“In relation to Amorim, he shows that he is prepared at this moment. Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and has already won two, this shows that the work has been done well.

“If he could manage to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you will never know until you get there, but I’m sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.”