Manchester United 'hopeful on date for Ruben Amorim's first match' as Man City stance emerges
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Manchester United are increasingly hopeful that Ruben Amorim will be appointed as their next manager in time for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
The 39-year-old's appointment at Old Trafford is creeping closer in the wake of the club's decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag.
United sacked the Dutchman on Monday after Sunday's nightmare 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
That result means the fallen giants sit 14th in the Premier League table, having picked up just 11 points from nine matches.
Manchester United are increasingly hopeful that Ruben Amorim will be appointed as their next manager in time for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea
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Late on Monday, it emerged that United were pursuing a deal for Amorim - who has impressed with his work at Sporting Lisbon over the past four years.
Now, according to The Times, the Red Devils are hopeful he'll be in charge for Sunday's huge clash with Chelsea.
United are in action before then, with the club due to lock horns with Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
That fixture will be overseen by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been named interim boss in the wake of Ten Hag's departure.
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United hope, however, that their former No 10 will be in charge for just one game.
Amorim was linked with Liverpool and West Ham back in the summer, only for the two clubs to opt for Arne Slot and Julen Lopetegui respectively.
The 39-year-old has continued to impress at Sporting, who have won all nine of their Primeira Liga matches so far this term.
United have, according to reports, also made contact with Fulham boss Marco Silva as they consider their options.
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But it's Amorim they want and all signs point to his appointment being wrapped up sooner, rather than later.
The Portuguese has been tipped to potentially take over at Manchester City should Pep Guardiola leave at the end of the season.
Yet the Daily Mail say Amorim has never been under genuine consideration at City in the event Guardiola packs his bags and departs next year.
Amorim is expected to become United's sixth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement 11 years ago, with the young manager set to follow David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ten Hag in coming to Old Trafford.
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Manchester United axed Erik ten Hag on Monday following their 2-1 defeat to West Ham 24 hours previously
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Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Slot has opened up on the departure of Ten Hag.
He says it is a 'shame' to see his fellow Dutchman leave the Premier League after just over two years in the role.
And Slot also thinks Ten Hag will bounce back.
The Liverpool manager said: "He is a Dutch manager so that makes it even harder for us as Dutch people.
Manchester United believe Ruben Amorim can bring the glory days back to Old Trafford
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"We are all in this job so we know it can happen, and if it happen especially as I know him a little bit and how much work he puts into it, to get this news for him is a pity.
"But we also know how well he did at Ajax and won two trophies over here, we will see him in the near future at a big club again."
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