Amorim expects clarity soon over Sporting future
Manager Ruben Amorim says there will be “clarification” over his expected move to Manchester United after Sporting’s game against Estrela on Friday.
He is expected to remain in charge at Portuguese side Sporting until the next international break from 11-19 November.
There remains confusion over whether a deal has been completed for Amorim to take over at Old Trafford after Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday.
“It’s a negotiation between two clubs, it’s never easy,” Amorim, 39, said.
United board member Sir Dave Brailsford told fans “it’s done” as he arrived for Wednesday’s EFL Cup win with Leicester and posed for a photograph. This information has been corroborated by additional sources from Portugal.
However, Sporting officials are adamant there is still no official deal and talks are continuing.
Manchester United have refused to comment.
“Even with the clauses, it’s never easy, they have to talk and we will have clarification after the game, it will be very clear,” Amorim added.
“So it’s one more day after the game tomorrow, we will have a decision made.”
Sporting have a key Champions League encounter with Manchester City on Tuesday and play Amorim’s former club Braga in the league on 10 November, before European top-flight football pauses for Nations League games.
Sporting have won all nine of their league fixtures this season and hold a three-point lead over rivals Benfica at the top of the table.
On Tuesday, they beat Nacional 3-1 in the Portuguese League Cup but Amorim admitted recent speculation over his future has destabilised the squad.
“I know my players and I’m honest with you when I say that they weren’t normal. I realised they were nervous and anxious about the news, with a series of tough games coming up,” Amorim said.
“They know me so well. I’ve proved that I’ll defend them until the last minute. But there are things I can’t control.
“There are things we can’t control, the clubs are negotiating. It’s not the coach’s decision.”
As Amorim stood up to leave Thursday’s news conference he was asked what he liked about the Premier League – “everything,” he said with a smile.