Manchester United are ready to pay Ruben Amorim’s release clause at Sporting (Picture: Getty)

Ruben Amorim is edging ever closer to becoming Manchester United’s next manager – and the news was simply too much to take for one emotional Sporting fan this afternoon.

Erik ten Hag was relieved of his duties on Monday after a miserable start to the season at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take over the reins as interim manager for the time being.

Work is underway behind the scenes to find Ten Hag’s permanent successor and Amorim, 39, widely regarded as one of the finest young coaches in world football, has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the job.

Amorim is said to be determined to push through a switch to the Theatre of Dreams and Sporting have confirmed that United are ready to pay the Portuguese’s ?10million (£8.3m) release clause in order to make that happen.
It’s understood ex-Portugal international Joao Pereira will take charge of Sporting until the end of the 2024/25 campaign should Amorim depart for the Red Devils.

The statement from Sporting read: ‘Manchester United FC has expressed an interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, and the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD has referred to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of Euro 10,000,000.00;

?Manchester United FC has expressed...