Ruben Amorim has denied he has agreed to become Manchester United’s manager, insisting “nothing is decided yet”.
The Portuguese boss took charge of Sporting CP’s League Cup game against Nacional on Tuesday for what many expected to be his farewell game ahead of his expected departure for Old Trafford.
Amorim is United’s top candidate, with Sporting confirming the Red Devils’ interest earlier on Tuesday and revealing they are willing to meet his €10million release clause.
But speaking after Sporting’s 3-1 win at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, the 39-year-old insisted his protacted switch to England is far from completed.
He told reporters: “Nothing is decided yet… I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”
🚨 BREAKING: Ruben Amorim to broadcasters in the mixed zone just now on #mufc job speculation
“Nothing is decided yet… I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”
— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) October 29, 2024
Amorim added: “If there will be a farewell, it’s something that hasn’t been decided yet, so we’re going to analyse the game.”
Amorim was asked specifically about Sporting’s statement made to the Portuguese stock exchange, which indicated United’s willingness to meet the £8.3m amount to release the highly-rated manager from his deal in Lisbon.
But Amorim refused to comment on the speculation, insisting: “I have nothing to say now, we are here to analyse. Anything I say will only create more noise. There is nothing to say about the matter.
“There is the statement, everyone knows. It was said by the club. Apart from that, we don’t know the details for sure. We will see. It will be up to me to decide, as the statement said. But saying half-measures now doesn’t seem to me to be the best thing to do.”
Amorim did indicate that his move to the Theatre of Dreams was now down to him after Sporting’s statement.
He said: “Manchester United is interested. But it’s my choice. Until everything is decided, we won’t be making any noise. I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done.”
Some rumours suggest Sporting could be holding out so that Amorim can take charge of their game against Estrela Amadora on Friday, which could well prove to be his actual farewell.
But that looks likely to clash with United’s desires, with the suggestion that INEOS and Co are keen to have their new man in the dugout in time for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.
“I can’t promise anything. What I know is that I will be at training tomorrow and I will prepare for the game against Estrela da Amadora,” Amorim added.
