IN-TRAY: KEY ISSUES FOR RU

UNITED are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

- ALEX JAMES

United are keen to move quickly as they seek a replacement and are prepared to pay the compensation required to lure the 39-year-old from Portugal. He has built a burgeoning reputation in his homeland having ended Sporting’s 19-year wait for a title, improved their Champions League record and led them to a flawless domestic start to this season with nine wins from nine.

He is one of the most highly-rated managers in European football and coaxing him to Old Trafford would be something of a coup for Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, particularly given the obvious links to City after Amorim’s current technical director at Sporting, Hugo Viana, agreed to move to the Etihad next year.

Should United complete a deal for Amorim he faces the task of restoring United to the top of the Premier League after a woeful start to this campaign and a dismal eighth-place finish last term.