Manchester United Target Ruben Amorim Says 'Nothing Decided Yet'

Ruben Amorim said Tuesday that "nothing is decided yet" after Manchester United made the Sporting Lisbon coach their top target to replace sacked manager Erik ten Hag. United pulled the plug on Ten Hag's two-year reign on Monday after a 2-1 defeat by West Ham left one of the world's wealthiest clubs 14th in the Premier League. Amorim quickly emerged as the leading contender to replace the Dutchman and a statement issued by Sporting to the Lisbon stock exchange said United were willing to meet his 10 million euro (8.3 million pounds, $10.8 million) release clause.

The 39-year-old was guarded when asked after Sporting's League Cup win against Nacional on Tuesday night if that was his last match with the Portuguese club.

"Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet," the Portuguese coach said, reported by sports daily A Bola.

Despite spending heavily in the transfer market in the summer, United have won one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named interim boss but United appear to be concentrating on Amorim, who is considered one of Europe's leading young coaches.

He has won two Portuguese titles with Sporting since joining the club in March 2020.

Amorim had dismissed the speculation when quizzed on Monday ahead of the League Cup match.

"I'm not going to talk about my future," he said. "I'm very proud to be the coach of Sporting Lisbon."

'Incredible football'

Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler, a young manager already making his way in the Premier League, was asked Tuesday what advice he'd give Amorim should he leave Portugal for Old Trafford. 

"Thirty-nine and he's eight years older than me," said Hurzeler. "He's already achieved great