Ruben Amorim has verbally agreed to join Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, talkSPORT understands.
Amorim is United’s top target after sacking Erik ten Hag and, as reported on Monday morning, the club are willing to pay compensation for his successor.
talkSPORT understands members of the United hierarchy sounded out Amorim last week as INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford met the manager, and are aiming to tie up the appointment swiftly.
It’s understood Amorim will more than treble his salary by joining Man United.
Amorim currently earns around £2.15million-a-year as Sporting boss.
Sources close to negotiations say the 39-year-old was demanding a contract worth £7m-a-year when negotiating with West Ham in the summer and is likely to command even more by replacing Ten Hag.
Amorim met with Sir Dave Brailsford, deputy head of sport at United’s minority owners INEOS, last week and had verbally agreed the move to Old Trafford.
United are in negotiations with Sporting over compensation for Amorim, who has a release clause of at least £8.3m.
Amorim is eyed as one of football’s best up and coming coaches and was previously linked with Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham.
He has also recently emerged as a potential contender for the job at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola has entered the final year of his contract at the club.
However, United’s agreement with Amorim is a big indication that Guardiola could sign for another year at City.
Amorim, who was also a speculated name for West Ham in the summer, started his managerial career at Portuguese side Casa Pia in 2018.
He then went on to join Braga before making the switch to Sporting in 2020 and won Liga Portgual the following season.
Sporting were crowned champions again in the 2023/24 campaign, with two Taca da Liga titles also coming their way with Amorim.
The 39-year-old currently has the club sitting first in the Portuguese top flight so far this season thanks to a 100 per cent record from nine games.
They are also eighth in the Champions League league phase table with two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures.
United have parted ways with Ten Hag just months after his deal at the club was extended to 2026.
The Dutchman won the Carabao Cup in his first season and the FA Cup in his second but has now departed Old Trafford.
Last season saw the Red Devils come eighth in the league, the club’s worst ever finish in the Premier League era.
