Man Utd ‘working on deal’ to appoint Ruben Amorim as manager - with Sporting CP boss ‘open’ to replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford

Ten Hag was sacked by the Old Trafford club on Monday following his team's 2-1 loss at West Ham in the Premier League the previous day, leaving them 14th in the table and with just four wins in all competitions so far this season. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ten Hag's recently-hired assistant, has taken over on an interim basis, but the club are aiming to appoint a new permanent successor.

Amorim has already been selected as the preferred candidate to take over, The Athletic reports, as the club are already working on a deal to bring the Portuguese coach to England. The report says Amorim is open to making the move and that United, who are already in talks with Sporting, are prepared to pay the €10 million (£8m/$11m) release clause in his contract to ensure they land him.

Amorim was a reported candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool before they opted to hire Arne Slot instead, while Manchester City are said to be eyeing him as a possible replacement for Pep Guardiola, especially after they convinced Hugo Viana to leave his role as a director at Sporting to join the Premier League champions next year.

With the Red Devils stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League table and without a win in the Europa League, United will hope to bring in Amorim as soon as possible as they look to salvage their season.