Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim tasted victory on what is expected to be his final match before leaving the Portuguese club to take over at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim insisted he has yet to make a final decision on whether he will leave Sporting Lisbon for Manchester United.
Amorim is expected to take over at Old Trafford after Erik ten Hag’s sacking. However, after leading his current club to a victory over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday, he said: “Nothing is decided yet… I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.
“Nobody knows if it was a farewell match or if there will be a farewell. It’s a matter that hasn’t been decided yet. Let’s analyse the match.
“It was a strange match, we had a lot of possession, not so good on the wings, we didn’t make life easy for Iván Fresneda. We had chances but didn’t score and in the second half we increased the intensity, scored goals and conceded one with a deflection. It wasn’t a brilliant performance, but we prepared for what’s to come by rotating players”
Amorim’s team called for the cavalry on Tuesday night after a goalless first half. Morten Hjulmand set them on their way against Nacional, though, before Viktor Gyokeres scored either side of a Ruben Macedo goal for the visitors.
“He’s here now. It’s not something I know, it’s not about me,” Gyokeres told reporters. “Right now he’s here, let’s see what happens”
United have named Ruud van Nistelrooy as their interim manager until they find a permanent successor to Ten Hag. Amorim is their top target, with Sporting confirming the Premier League club have indicated a willingness to meet the manager’s release clause.
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“I don’t want to fuel this issue,” Amorim continued. “There is the club’s statement to the CMVM (the Portuguese securities commission), apart from that we don’t know the details yet, we’ll see… I have always taken responsibility for my decisions and I will be here to do so, but when I am sure of things it will be easier.”
The victory over Nacional continued a fine start to the season for Sporting. Amorim’s side won the Primeira Liga last season, and have picked up where they left off.
Nine league games have brought nine victories, with the club from the capital scoring 30 goals and conceding just two. They also have seven points from a possible nine in the Champions League, beating Lille and Sturm Graz either side of a draw away to PSV Eindhoven.
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