Ruben Amorim is closing in on a deal with Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Ruben Amorim is in talks to become the next Manchester United manager, with the Premier League club keen to appoint the highly-rated 39-year-old as Erik ten Hag’s successor.

Despite announcing that Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge on an interim basis, United have moved swiftly to try and negotiate a deal with the Sporting Lisbon boss.

The Red Devils may still have to negotiate a release clause, believed to be around ?10million (£8.3m), but the club may deem it a necessary figure to prise away a coach who has been courting interest from several top European clubs.

Liverpool were mooted as a potential destination last summer after Jurgen Klopp announced his depature, while Amorim publically flew to London for talks with West Ham. Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich were all linked too.
And it’s easy to see why. Having led Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in 2021, the young Portuguese coach repeated the trick last year and already has his side six points clear at the top of the table after nine straight wins this season.

In 2018, Amorim travelled to Old Trafford to undertake an internship alongside his coaching idol and United boss at the time, Jose Mourinho. Six years later, the job could be his.

Playing career

Ruben Amorim played 14 times for his native Portugal (Picture: Getty)

Making his senior first-team debut in 2003 for Belenenses in the Po...