Taking Manchester United job would be an enormous risk for Rúben Amorim 

Club’s preferred candidate has a stellar reputation but rebuilding incoherent squad and culture is an almighty task.

NEXT MAN IN? Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Sporting CP, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Atalanta and Sporting CP. Pic: Emilio Andreoli, Getty Images

At least there isn’t a recent example of Manchester United gazumping Manchester City to sign a 30-something Portuguese and it turning into an expensive farrago. The Sporting manager, Rúben Amorim, had been heavily touted to join City next summer should Pep Guardiola decide to stand down, particularly after the club’s director of football, Hugo Viana, was named as the successor to Txiki Begiristain at the Etihad Stadium.

On Monday, though, Amorim emerged as the preferred candidate to replace Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was dismissed.