'Nothing is decided yet' - Ruben Amorim breaks silence on Manchester United intention to pay release clause

Ruben Amorim has warned ‘nothing is decided yet’ after Manchester United signalled their intention to pay his release clause and appoint them as their new head coach.

United have identified the Sporting manager as their top candidate to permanently replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and have already notified the Portuguese club of their intention to pay Amorim's €10m release clause.

However, the 39-year-old has played down the suggestion of an imminent appointment, after he warned there is nothing decided yet despite the intense interest from United.

“Nobody knows if it’s a farewell game, if there will be a farewell game” he told Portuguese press following Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday night. “It’s something that hasn’t been decided yet, so let’s analyse the game.”

Earlier in the day, Sporting released a statement to confirm United had signalled their intention to trigger the release clause required to negotiate for the services of their first-team manager.

“Manchester United FC expressed an interest in hiring coach Rúben Amorim, with the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of Euro 10,000,000.00; 2. Manchester United FC expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of the aforementioned clause,” the official filing read.

ManchesterWorld understand Amorim could fly to Manchester as early as Wednesday and possibly be in attendance when they face Leicester in the Carabao Cup tomorrow night. Ruud van Nistelrooy is still set to take interim charge of the side for the match, though it is likely to be his only game in charge of his former club.