Man Utd 'strike agreement on Ruben Amorim start date' as biggest obstacle overcome

Ruben Amorim’s move to Manchester United has taken a giant step towards being completed with the Red Devils now reportedly aware of his start date.

Amorim emerged as the front-runner to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford just hours after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS pulled the plug on the Dutchman.

There had been suggestions Amorim might be parachuted in immediately and could be in the dugout for Sunday’s heavyweight clash against Chelsea.

But reports from Portugal suggest that’s unlikely, with United instead forced to play a waiting game.

It’s claimed by Portuguese outlet Record that Amorim is likely to remain in charge of Sporting CP until the November international break, which is still two weeks away.

As things stand, Amorim will face a head-to-head clash with Pep Guardiola as one of his final matches in charge.

Three Sporting fixtures remain before the November international break, starting on Friday night when the Lisbon-based outfit take on Estrela da Amadora.

The clash against Premier League champions City follows in mid-week before what’s likely to be Amorim’s Sporting swansong versus Braga – the side he once played and managed for.

By contrast, if the predicted timescale becomes a reality, it would mean Amorim’s first game in charge of the three-time European champions would be away to Ipswich Town.

Amorim would take charge of his first home game against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, before returning to Old Trafford at the weekend to face Everton.

It’s claimed the delay has stemmed from the Sporting president, Frederico Varandas, who insisted on the 30-day notice period inserted into Amorim’s contract, which is triggered when a club – in this case United – pays the £8.3million (€10million) release clause.

Another sticking point surrounding the departure stems from Amorim’s backroom staff, with the ex-Braga tactician keen to appoint his own.

It could cause some problems within the inner sanctum of United though, given INEOS gave Ten Hag free rein to reshuffle his coaching team in the summer.

Daniel Fernandes, Adelio Candido and goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital are rumoured to be among the disciples who could follow Amorim to Manchester.

But fellow goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar was only appointed in the summer, whereas Dutch duo Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy have also been in their post for less than six months.

United return to action tonight against Leicester City in the League Cup with Van Nistelrooy taking charge.