Manchester United next manager LIVE - Ruben Amorim 'closing in' on job as Sporting give statement

Manchester United are working on a deal to install Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim as their next manager.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Monday evening, the 39-year-old has agreed a deal in principle to succeed Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was sacked on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after Sunday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham United.

United are understood to be negotiating a compensation package with Sporting to try and extract Amorim from the Estadio Jose Alvalade. He has been in charge at Sporting since 2020.

Amorim had been earmarked as a replacement for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City should he decide to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of this season. The Portuguese chief has won five trophies during his time in charge of Sporting.

Meanwhile, away from the managerial situation, United are busy putting the finishing touches to their preparations for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup fourth round tie with Leicester City at Old Trafford. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in temporary charge and will oversee the visit of the Foxes.

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Ruben Amorim has already played down suggestions he is the new Jose Mourinho - insisting no one will ever compare to the former FC Porto, Chelsea and Manchester United boss.

Amorim, 39, looks set to become United's new boss after the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Monday afternoon. The Dutchman won just three of the Reds' nine games in the Premier League this term.

Speaking after a Europa League match with Sporting CP, Amorim said: "New Mourinho? We will never have a Mourinho again. Mourinho is unique.

"He already texted me, saying that the old and the new are already in the next stage. There won't be a