Reason Liverpool didn't hire Ruben Amorim as Manchester United close in on new boss

Liverpool walked away from negotiations with Manchester United managerial candidate Ruben Amorim due to differences in philosophies and playing style.

Amorim, 39, recently agreed a deal with the Old Trafford hierarchy, barely 24 hours after Erik ten Hag was dismissed from his role and Ruud van Nistelrooy was placed in temporary charge. The Sporting Lisbon manager has an outstanding reputation having won two consecutive Primeira Liga titles.

When Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the Liverpool role, Amorim was the next favourite and even held talks at Anfield. However, his vision clashed with that of the United hierarchy, who did not want to completely move away from Jurgen Klopp's style.

READ MORE: Try MUFC Pro for FREE for our best Manchester United coverage )

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim agrees to become Manchester United manager

While Klopp played a dynamic 4-3-3 formation at Liverpool, Amorim initially sets his side up in a wide 3-4-3 formation. It's a flexible shape which can turn into a 4-2-4 during build-up, a 5-2-3 when defending, and a 3-2-5 while attacking.

While the manager's tactics can be adjusted, as demonstrated in his encounters with Tottenham and Arsenal in Europe in 2022 and 2023, Klopp's established style was something that the Merseyside team couldn't overlook.

With Amorim steadfastly sticking to his high-possession, wide style of play, the Liverpool bosses were seemingly uncomfortable with a completely different approach being implemented.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.

Moreover, ESPN also reported that Amorim was overlooked not only due to his unwillingness to alter his tactics, but because of the purported £10million release clause