Sporting Lisbon confirmed on Tuesday Manchester United’s interest in signing up their Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim after the English giants sacked Erik Ten Hag. United pulled the plug on Dutchman Ten Hag’s two-year reign on Monday after a 1-2 defeat by West Ham the previous day left one of the world’s wealthiest clubs 14th in the Premier League. 

Amorim, 39, quickly emerged as the leading contender to replace Ten Hag following the Red Devils’ woeful start to the season. And a statement issued by Portuguese club Sporting to the Lisbon stock exchange revealed United’s willingness to meet his 10 million euro release clause. “Manchester United have expressed their interest in recruiting coach Ruben Amorim and have said they are ready to pay the 10 million euro release clause,” Sporting said.