Man Utd strike deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag's successor after agreeing compensation over early Sporting CP release - but Red Devils will still have to wait to have Portuguese coach in dugout

Ten Hag was inevitably sacked following United's awful start to the season, which has them sitting firmly in the bottom-half of the Premier League. Liverpool approached Amorim in the summer but he now looks set to head to Old Trafford in the coming weeks. Despite reportedly striking an agreement with the Portuguese head coach that will see the Red Devils pay £9.2million ($11m) to Sporting in compensation, the club are still playing hardball and may not release Amorim from his duties until mid-November. According to The Telegraph, Sporting could announce the deal on Thursday but Amorim's first game would likely be against Ipswich on November 24.

Amorim's appointment may mark a big shift in United's playing style. A move to three-at-the-back with wing-backs and defensive midfielders may benefit the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Hojlund who have struggled so far this term. There will be no time to waste for the 39-year-old when he does get the nod as he looks to close the gap on the club's rivals.

Amorim has actually already shared a dressing room with one member of the current United squad. Victor Lindelof teamed up with the former midfielder at Benfica, winning the league title together before the Swede left for England.

Many thought Amorim may have taken charge of his final Sporting game on Tuesday as they won 3-1 against Nacional. But with the club making things more complicated, he could be back in the dugout again this weekend against Estrela Amadora while the final details of a move to Manchester are finalised.