He wants to be like Mourinho, his idol’ – How the Portuguese media view Ruben Amorim’s potential move to Man Utd from Sporting CP as ‘big challenge’ laid bare

United have told Sporting that they are willing to pay Amorim’s release clause as they bid to install him as the successor to the sacked Erik ten Hag. Amorim guided Sporting to a 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday, in what may have been his final game as manager.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amorim has guided Sporting to two Portuguese league titles and two Portuguese League Cups, and Record journalist Filip Baleira claims that while the move would be a “risky” one for the 39-year-old, he says he is aiming to emulate his idol, Mourinho. While the current Fenerbahce boss was at United, he invited Amorim to intern at Old Trafford, an invite he accepted.

  WHAT FILIP BAREIRA SAID

  Bareira told Sky Sports: “I think without a doubt it will be a risky move, like it was when he came to Sporting, because right now he has two championships for Sporting.

  “He’s done good in the European competitions, he would have got the opportunity to play Manchester City on Tuesday. It was a risky move to get him into Sporting in the first place, but it was a good one because he won trophies.”

  He added: “I think he wants to be like Jose Mourinho, who is his idol, and he wants to win trophies with Manchester United.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United hoped to appoint Amorim before their fixture with Chelsea this weekend, but issues with his notice period may scupper that plan. They play Leicester in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.