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Manchester United have been dealt a huge blow in their efforts to officially sign Ruben Amorim, with Sporting Lisbon now set to stay in Portugal for longer than initially anticipated.

Following United’s decision to sack Erik ten Hag on Monday, the club moved quickly to try and secure his replacement. It was revealed that Amorim was INEOS’ top choice to succeed the Dutchman.

A verbal agreement was struck with Amorim and on Tuesday afternoon, Sporting released a statement confirming that United had expressed an interest in hiring the 39-year-old and triggering his release clause.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that sporting director Dan Ashworth was keen on Amorim’s announcement to be made before Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.

However, it subsequently emerged that Amorim has a notice period spanning weeks as opposed to days, that he must serve before officially taking over the reins at Old Trafford. United have been locked in talks with Sporting to try and circumvent this issue.

Indeed, earlier today, a news outlet explained that the Red Devils could be forced to fork out a little bit more money to not only ensure Amorim’s arrival is speedy but also to convince Sporting to release his assistant coaches.

However, it appears that United’s attempts are currently not bearing much fruit.

Record Portugal reveals that Amorim is not only set to remain at Estádio José Alvalade for Friday’s meeting with Estrela da Amadora but could be there until mid-November, during the international break.

“Rúben Amorim will coach Sporting until the next international break, Record has learned.”

“Manchester United wanted to take the 39-year-old coach immediately, having him at Old Trafford at the weekend, for the match against Chelsea, but Frederico Varandas imposed conditions to complete the transfer, enforcing the 30-day period for the departure of his asset provided for in the current contract, in this case from the moment the Red Devils moved to pay the 10 million euro termination clause.”

“In an agreement that is still being drawn up, the helmsman will be on the bench not only in the game against Estrela da Amadora, on Friday, but also in the home matches against Manchester City (on the 5th) and in the trip to Braga (on the 10th).”

If the situation does not change, Amorim’s first game is likely to be the away trip to Ipswich Town on November 24.

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