Manchester United BLOCKED from hiring Ruben Amorim - and could have to wait a MONTH: report

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Manchester United are on the cusp of appointing Ruben Amorim as manager - but there's a hold-up in the process

Sporting's head coach Ruben Amorim addresses a press conference at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on February 14, 2022, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between Sporting CP and Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim is on the verge of joining United (Image credit: FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United could have to wait 30 days to appoint Ruben Amorim, leaving Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge of the club on an interim basis.

The Red Devils parted company with Erik ten Hag on Monday, following the 2-1 defeat on Sunday to fellow strugglers, West Ham United. Van Nistelrooy assumed control of the club temporarily, with Amorim links surfacing soon after the dismissal at Old Trafford.

But now Manchester United could have to wait for Amorim – who was Ranked at no.11 in FourFourTwo's list of the best managers in the world right now earlier this year – with complications in the move.

Manchester United are facing obstacles in hiring Ruben Amorim

Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and founder of Ineos Group Holdings Plc, during a Bloomberg Television interview at The Grenadier pub in London, UK, on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Ratcliffe's Ineos Automotive offered a first look Friday at the Fusilier, a sport utility vehicle smaller than the Grenadier 4x4 that the closely held company started selling early last year.

Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe will have to pay at least €10 million to release Amorim from Sporting (Image credit: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Amorim has already provisionally agreed to become United manager. According to widespread reports, there is a willingness for the 20-time English champions to pay the €10 million release clause for the Portuguese manager, too.

But according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Sporting president Frederico Varandas is demanding another €5m to release Amorim's backroom team.

President Frederico Varandas of Sporting CP during the match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC for Liga Portugal Betclic at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 9, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Frederico Varandas is playing hardball with United (Image credit: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

United already upgraded their coaching side over the summer, bringing in Van Nistelrooy along with Rene Hake, to supplement Ten Hag, who agreed to another year at the club. But the hold-up with Sporting over the added payment is a worry for fans who expected a swift appointment of Amorim.

As it is, the 39-year-old has returned to training in Lisbon, as per CNN Portugal – and he may be in charge of the club another month.

Sporting can keep Amorim for 30 days even after his release fee has been activated, as per A Bola. United are, of course, negotiating to bypass this clause – but that will likely cost more money.

FourFourTwo understands that the feeling around United is that Amorim's move is just a matter of time. This is a hitch but one that could well be sorted in the coming days.

VIDEO Why Man United HAD To Sack Erik Ten Hag

Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already expressed his willingness to sack Ten Hag and trigger a release clause for Amorim at some expense. The hard part appears to be done, with just formalities and sticking points to be negotiated, we expect – though nothing's been confirmed and as ever, even deals that drag on until the 11th hour can fall apart.

Manchester United take on Chelsea this weekend when Premier League action returns.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.