Manchester United are “working on a deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach” after the team sacked embattled coach Erik ten Hag this afternoon.

David Ornstein of The Athletic posted on X: “Manchester United is working on a deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach.”

“#MUFC ready to pay €10m release clause + in talks with #SportingCP to finalize.” “39-year-old Portuguese ready to accept move.”

The Portuguese was reportedly one of the names being considered following ten Hag’s departure on Monday, when assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy took over as interim manager.

Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, Brentford coach Thomas Frank and former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic were also considered.

Manchester United ‘working on a deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach’

Amorim joined Sporting in 2020 and led them to their first league title since 2002 the following year.

He repeated the feat last season and Sporting got off to the perfect start to the current season, winning all eight league games to move three points clear at the top of the table.

Ten Hag was sacked this afternoon after months of speculation as the Red Devils scaled new heights in the Premier League and find themselves in 14th place.

The decision to sack the Dutchman after two-and-a-half years as coach came after Sunday’s defeat at West Ham, which left the team behind Julen Lopetegui’s side, who had been struggling up to that point.

Ten Hag was in the dark about his fate until Monday morning, when he was called into a meeting with CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth. Sources say the meeting was “respectful and dignified.”

More to follow.