Manchester United news LIVE: Ruben Amorim to be announced as new manager with complex timeline revealed

Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has addressed the reports linking him with the vacant managerial role at Manchester United and says ‘nothing has been decided’.

He spoke to the media following his team’s 3-1 victory over Nacional in the Portuguese league cup on Tuesday evening but refused to confirm whether he will be the man to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

“Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.” said the 39-year-old when asked if he had overseen a Sporting match for the final time.

Despite being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford Ruben Amorim is still manager of Sporting CP and is due to speak to the media at 1pm GMT this afternoon to preview their next league game against Estrela.

No doubt Amorim will be asked about the Manchester United links again so we’ll see if he offers any other updates (though that’s doubtful).

After that, Ruud van Nistelrooy (4pm) will conduct his first news conference as United’s interim manager and he will be excited following the Red Devils 5-3 victory over Leicester in their first match since the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.

Ruben Amorim could lock horns with Mikel Arteta in the first few weeks of his Man Utd reign.

The Portuguese coach knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2023 while in charge of Sporting.

The sides meet on 4 December, with Amorim reportedly set to wait until after the international break until taking charge.

That would give him a run of games against Ipswich, Bodo/Glimt and Everton before a trip to the Emirates.

"The first goal was an unbelievable, top goal - fantastic finish," Van Nistelrooy told MUTV.

"I'm delighted for him that the first goal went in. I was delighted for Case, the way he's been training and helping the team and the club, he's such an example. You also see the crowd's reaction and they also know what he's about.

“Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism. It was so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that, it was not true. “If you see him in training and the way he prepares for games, with the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues, he’s an example for us. That was part of my celebration, I’m happy for him.”

“We want to get a lot of the ball, attack and try to give the fans a good night,” Van Nistelrooy said, before praising Diogo Dalot.

“Diogo is a very important member of the team. He is one of the leaders and is always training professionally.

"He is always there to help the team and I was delighted."

Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1

Amorim first tried a back three early in his coaching career and he quickly settled upon a preferred 3-4-2-1 shape. At Sporting the system could flex into a 3-4-3 with two wide forwards rather than typical No 10s, and occasionally he played with a 3-5-2, but Amorim rarely deviated from his three-at-the-back foundation.

When Sporting built from deep, two adventurous wing-backs hugged the touchlines to stretch the pitch, leaving space for confident centre-backs to either carry the ball upfield or play passes into midfield. At United, Lisandro Martinez could slot into the left side of a three-man defence while Matthijs de Ligt would likely be the central pin.

For the wing-back roles, Amorim has good options on the right side in his fellow Portuguese Diogo Dalot and summer signing Noussair Mazraoui, who have both made bright starts to the season. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia would be natural choices at left wing-back but both players have struggled to stay fit and this might be an area where Amorim needs a January reinforcement. He could instead turn to youth, with 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass considered one of United’s best prospects.

Ruben Amorim is poised to sign a 2.5 year contract, the Independent understands.

So while the Portuguese is highly rated, there is an element of caution there from Ineos.

Given the cost of the operation, with a €10m release clause and a further €1m for his staff and the early release, 2.5 years would appear to be the minimum level of commitment from United’s side.

Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United might have to wait.

That’s because negotiations could leave the Portuguese in charge for several games at Sporting before completing his move to Old Trafford during the next international break, which starts on 11 November.

Man Utd face Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester, again, following last night’s Carabao Cup win, before the break.

It would leave Amorim’s first game in charge away at Ipswich.

The Man Utd captain scored his first goals of the season against Leicester and could improve under the leadership of his incoming countryman:

Sir Dave Brailsford has dropped a major hint that Ruben Amorim will be Manchester United’s next manager, appearing to tell fans outside Old Trafford that the deal was “done”.

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