Ruben Amorim: Manchester United start date & visa issues explained

Ruben Amorim will travel to Carrington on Monday on the first day of his new role as Manchester United head coach.

The 39-year-old oversaw his final game in charge of Sporting Lisbon yesterday (Sunday) and it’s a quick turnaround to fly to Manchester for the start of his new role.

Reports emerged on Sunday night that Amorim had yet to be granted a visa which could impact his start at United. While true, Manchester World understands the club are frustrated with any suggestion this should be viewed as a setback or his start has been delayed.

Indeed, it’s standard practice for new employees from overseas to travel to the UK before obtaining a visa and Amorim will complete the process after arriving in the country, which United are hopeful will be concluded swiftly and efficiently.

Amorim cannot formally start his new role until his visa is issued and won’t coach the team yet - which will not be an issue given the majority of the first-team squad are away on international duty. He can, however, visit Carrington for meetings.

It’s seen as a similar process to new signings, who, under post-Brexit laws, travel to the UK to complete their medical but can only start training when their visas are issued.

For now, no timescale has been set on when Amorim will conduct his first training session but Manchester World understands there is no rush with so many players not currently at the club. It’s expected that everything will be finalised by next week.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese head coach signed off his premiership at Sporting with a dramatic win. Having trailed 2-0 at half-time, the champions came back to beat Braga - Amorim’s former club - 4-2, with two goals scored in the 89th minute and in injury-time.

As for United, a 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday ensured Ruud van Nistelrooy ended his brief managerial tenure undefeated. The Dutchman admitted at full-time that he expects to hear from Amorim by the end of Monday, with sorting Van Nistelrooy’s future seen as one of his most pressing issues.

United are next in action on 23 November when they travel to Portman Road to face Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.