Ruben Amorim speaks out on Man Utd managerial links after Erik ten Hag sacking

Ruben Amorim has refused to be drawn into speculation linking him with the vacant Manchester United post following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

United are on the search for a new manager after parting ways with Erik ten Hag following their disappointing start to the season.

A late defeat to West Ham on Sunday left the Red Devils 14th in the Premier League and with just one win from their last five league games.

Ten Hag’s former assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team on an interim basis but Amorim is seen as a potential candidate to take on the job permanently.

The Portuguese coach, who was linked heavily with the Liverpool job prior to Arne Slot’s appointment, has also been mooted as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola should he leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

However, Amorim refused to comment on any speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford and insisted he was happy to continue with his current role at Sporting.

‘I was expecting that question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment, so it’s not worth it, I won’t comment,’ he told reporters on Monday.

‘I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting, that’s all.’

Pressed further about a potential meeting with United and reports crediting the Red Devils with a move for Sporting youngster Geovany Quenda, Amorim added: ‘I didn’t know about United’s interest, if there is any.

‘Quenda is still very young, has few games and it’s good that he keeps his feet on the ground. The price is not up to me, it’s up to the president. I won’t comment on my future.’

The 39-year-old is seen as a progressive and modern coach and has won the league with Sporting on two occasions since joining in 2020. His side have won all nine league games this season, too, and currently sit six points clear of Porto at the top of the table.

And according to The Independent, it is that impressive start to the season that is one of the key reasons why Amorim is reportedly not keen to jump ship before the end of the campaign.

United may also be required to pay a significant fee in the region of €20m if they wanted to prize Amorim away from the Portuguese club.

Amorim already has fans within the current United team, with fellow countryman Bruno Fernandes full of praise for the 39-year-old and tipping him for a successful career in management.

‘They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment. It’s a very well-prepared team,’ the United skipper said on international duty last month when asked about Amorim.

‘Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and has already won two. This shows that the work has been done well.”

‘If he could manage to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you will never know until you get there, but I am sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.’

Other managers, including Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank and Xavi, have been heavily linked with the vacant post.

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