The Erik ten Hag era has finally come to an end at Manchester United. After two and a half years at Old Trafford, the Dutch manager was officially sacked following a string of poor performances. While this may be the first step in making necessary changes within the club, finding ten Hag’s successor remains a major task for the Premier League side. Fortunately, they didn’t take long, as Ruben Amorim is already being touted to take the helm. However, the biggest question remains: when exactly will he begin his work at United?

Amorim, currently managing Portuguese side Sporting CP, was a surprise name on the Red Devils’ table. Despite being linked with recent England-sacked Gareth Southgate and former Brighton and Chelsea coach Graham Potter, United looks eager to bring the Portuguese tactician to the red side of Manchester. However, their biggest roadblock is that Amorim is still under a contract with Sporting CP until 2026.

The Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe-backed club will be required to pay the 39-year-old tactician’s release clause, which stands at around £8.3m ($10.7m). So far, the word is around the town that the negotiations are currently underway between both the clubs to bring Amorim. At least, the latest issue from Sky Sports suggests so, who claim terms and date of his arrival for England have been set, which can be as close to as late Thursday.

Notably, Amorim addressed his links to Manchester United on Tuesday. during Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup quarter-final. While insisting he is fully focused on wanting Sporting to “become double winners of the league and cup”, he assured that this wasn’t his final game for the Lions, saying, “Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”

What remains interesting is the fact that Amorim himself acknowledged that the final decision rests in his own hands. “When I have something more concrete, I will tell you, because it is always my choice,” he said. Unfortunately, the Portuguese tactician failed to give a specific timeline regarding the conclusion of negotiations between United and Sporting. Not to forget there’s another catch in Amorim’s contract!

Another roadblock for Manchester United to bring Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP

According to various sources, Sporting CP is currently holding firm on their 30-day notice period request that is in Ruben Amorim’s contract. That could significantly delay the Portuguese manager’s arrival to Manchester, while also forcing the Red Devils to let Ruud van Nistelrooy continue with his interim position.

Though that couldn’t be a problem, considering how brilliantly Bruno Fernandes and Co. played against Leicester City in the EFL Cup round of 16, thrashing the Championship side 5-2 thanks to braces from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, and a goal from Alejandro Garnacho, United won’t be interested to go that road.

Then again, United is not only willing to pay Sporting CP’s demanding clause for their manager, but they also see the 30-day notice period as “normal formal steps, working to reach an agreement as soon as possible,” according to Fabrizio Romano. An arrival this week may see him coach United for the Saturday clash against Chelsea.

Otherwise, Ruben Amorim is expected to make his way to England directly during the November international break. Nevertheless, share your thoughts on this in the comments.