Sporting are expected to announce on Thursday that they have reached full agreement to allow Ruben Amorim to leave and become Manchester United’s new head coach.
It is also expected to be announced as part of the agreement that Amorim will remain in charge of the Portuguese club for their next three games and only join United during the forthcoming international break.
It means his first game as Erik ten Hag’s successor would therefore be the Premier League away game against Ipswich Town – managed by Kieran McKenna who United spoke to at the end of last season about taking over – on November 24.
Telegraph Sport understands that United have also agreed to pay 12 million euros (£10.05 million) compensation to Sporting, although that will only be confirmed when the announcement is made. If it goes through, this would be two million euros (£1.7 million) above the 10 million release clause in Amorim’s contract.
The extra money, which sources in Portugal insist will be paid, is believed to cover the release of Amorim’s backroom staff to work alongside him at Old Trafford.
Sporting have also been demanding money to cover allowing Amorim to leave without giving the required 30-day notice period as per his contract. The extra two million euros would also cover that.
Reports in Portugal have claimed that Amorim will sign a 2.5-year contract with the option of another year, but he will not arrive before facing United’s bitter local rivals Manchester City at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in the Champions League next Tuesday.
The City match is sandwiched in between league games against Estrela tomorrow and Braga on Sunday week and one of Sporting’s complaints is that they have been left in the lurch and need to find a new coach at a critical time of the season.
Amorim could bring as many as five staff with him to Old Trafford, including assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro, goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and fitness coach Paulo Barreira, which would further weaken Sporting.
Amorim has accepted that he may have to wait to join United having quickly reached an agreement with them on Monday, soon after Ten Hag was sacked, with United then indicating to Sporting they are prepared to pay the release clause which was announced publicly because the Lisbon club are a listed company.
There has been unhappiness in Portugal at Amorim’s decision with sources suggesting that several Sporting players have been left annoyed because the 39-year-old had asked for commitment and loyalty from them during the last transfer window and is now leaving with his staff. However, others accept the United offer is too good to refuse.
It means Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was brought to United by Ten Hag in the summer, will probably remain in charge of United for their next three games – Chelsea at home in the league on Sunday followed by Greek side PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and another home match against Leicester City the following Sunday.
United beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening to set up a quarter-final away to Tottenham Hotspur in December. It was Van Nistelrooy’s first game in the dug-out and afterwards he expressed an interest in being part of a new-look coaching staff.
“I’m here to help and serve and give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change,” the former United striker said.
“I came here as an assistant to help the club. Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed. In the future, in any capacity, I’m here to help the club further to build towards the future, that’s what I’m here for.”
But given the number of staff Amorim wants to bring with him and what role he could offer Van Nistelrooy, it would appear unlikely the Dutchman will then remain at United.
