Inside Man Utd's 'quick and quiet' talks with Sporting to secure Ruben Amorim deal

Ruben Amorim was the only candidate Manchester United officially spoke to in their search for Erik ten Hag's successor.

Ten Hag after overseeing a wretched start to the season, with United having won just four games in all competitions before his departure. Amorim to take over.

The 39-year-old has enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Sporting Lisbon, winning two Primeira Liga titles and two Taca de Portugal trophies. His first league title win saw Sporting end a drought of 19 years without finishing top.

Amorim had previously been seen as at . But it is their rivals across Manchester who he will instead take charge of, with United acting quickly to secure their man.

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understands that Amorim was the only prospective candidate United spoke with, and they held no other conversations. Club chiefs identified him as their top choice and moved to secure him quickly and quietly.

That saw the Red Devils send a delegation of executives out to Lisbon on Monday to begin face-to-face negotiations with Sporting. They were also sent to explore the possibility of securing an earlier release date than the 30-day notice period in his contract.

United are understood to have been fully aware of that notice period, as well as the £8.3million release clause before they entered into talks. The side have also agreed to allow Amorim to remain in charge of Sporting until the upcoming international break.

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That will see him take charge of Sporting's next three games, with Ruud van Nistelrooy remaining in interim charge of United for the same time period. The deal announced on Friday will see Amorim take up his new job almost three weeks before he otherwise could have.

United will pay Sporting a fee of £10.6millon to release Amorim from his contract. They are also set to pay an additional fee to allow him to bring his coaching staff with him, though such a deal will be announced at a later date.

Until Amorim is able to take up his new position, United are thought to be very confident in Van Nistelrooy's ability to lead the team, having masterminded a 5-2 demolition of in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

" is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements," United said in a statement.

"He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday 11 November. Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.

"Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years. Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins."

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