Man Utd reportedly in talks with Ruben Amorim over replacing sacked Erik ten Hag

Manchester United have moved quickly in their search for a new manager, reportedly approaching Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag was dismissed on Monday, a day after United suffered their fourth Premier League defeat of the season at West Ham, dropping to 14th in the table. They have won only one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Within hours of that announcement being made, reports said the Old Trafford club were willing to pay the €10 million release clause to secure 39-year-old Amorim, whose Sporting Lisbon side sit top of the Portuguese table. United declined to comment when contacted by the PA news agency.

Amorim has won two Portuguese titles and two League Cups with Sporting since joining the club in March 2020.

In recent weeks, he has been suggested as a future Manchester City manager, with Sporting’s Hugo Viana, a close friend, due to move to the blue half of Manchester as the club’s new director of football next season.

Sunday’s controversial 2-1 defeat at West Ham, in which Jarrod Bowen’s disputed late penalty proved decisive, was the final straw for Ten Hag. Speculation over the Dutchman’s future had regained intensity in recent weeks after the 54-year-old remained in the role at the end of last season.

A club statement shortly before noon read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in interim charge ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at home to