Exclusive: When Man United hope to have Ruben Amorim deal finalised as they close in on Erik ten Hag replacement

TBR Football understands that Ruben Amorim has emerged as Manchester United’s first choice to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

United confirmed the departure of Ten Hag on Monday, ending his two-year reign at Old Trafford.

TBR Football had earlier revealed that United had been in talks with options to replace Ten Hag and they had spoken to three candidates who were in-work, who were all in-work.

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Sporting Lisbon boss is Manchester United’s top target

Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann were amongst the options, but Amorim is the one who has emerged as their top target.

TBR Football also confirmed that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was ready to ‘splash the cash’ and pay for a new manager, despite the fact they have to pay-off Ten Hag from the contract he only signed in the summer.

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And Amorim will cost United money with the clause in his contract understood to be worth around €20million (£16million) – although talks are ongoing over the finances between the two clubs.

It is understood Amorim’s initial clause of €10million doubled in value for certain clubs and United are one of those.

Dan Ashworth persuades Amorim to make the move despite Man City links

Sources have told TBR Football that Amorim was a target for United in the summer, as were Frank and Nagelsmann, and he was insistent that he would like to stay with Sporting until next summer.

However, after talks with United’s hierarchy with sporting director Dan Ashworth leading the chase, Amorim is believed to have been persuaded to make the move to England mid-season.

Amorim has been strongly linked with United’s neighbours Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s replacement next summer.

United are due to face Leicester City in the League Cup on Wednesday when interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge, but it is believed that Ashworth hopes to have Amorim confirmed by the weekend when Chelsea travel to Old Trafford although it remains to be seen when he would be available to take charge.

Amorim’s Sporting are due to face Estrela da Amadora on Friday evening in Lisbon, which now looks set to be his final game with the club.