What Jose Mourinho has said about 'apprentice' Ruben Amorim as Sporting CP boss prepares for Man Utd job

Amorim is poised to become United's new manager following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, with the Red Devils communicating their desire to pay his €10m (£8m/$11m) release clause to Sporting CP. Mourinho invited his fellow Portuguese to work with him in an internship during his time at United and has since been labelled as his 'apprentice'. Earlier this year, Mourinho was asked about the qualities of the 39-year-old when he was briefly linked with West Ham.

In addition to the Hammers, Amorim has been linked with both Liverpool and Manchester City but now seems certain to continue his career at Old Trafford. In May, Mourinho talked up Amorim both as a person and as a coach.

At the time, Mourinho told Mais Futebol: " "It's also a question I shouldn't answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] as a person, I like him as a coach.

"I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club. But he's in a good league and he's in a big club. The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments. What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach."

United face Leicester in the EFL Cup in midweek and then play Chelsea in the Premier League. They reportedly hope to have Amorim in post by the time they play the Blues.