It appears that not even a decade of dirge has destroyed Manchester United’s almost unrivalled pulling power.
You only need to ask Newcastle, Man City and Southampton about that, Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox jumping at the chance to play a key role in an attempted Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led revival at Old Trafford.
United In Focus has been told by HITC insider Graeme Bailey, meanwhile, that two Champions League winning managers would be very keen on the idea of taking over from Erik ten Hag should Ineos swing the axe.
Hansi Flick, a treble winner with Bayern Munich in 2020, has put himself forward, while ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel remains interested in one of European football’s most high-profile – if potentially damaging – posts.
Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, Roberto de Zerbi, Thiago Motta, Michel are all still in and around the conversation too, the number of managers linked with Manchester United nearing a round 20.
Ruben Amorim out of Manchester United running
Then again, that list has now become that little bit shorter after Ruben Amorim opted to bring an end to the speculation surrounding his own future. The Telegraph reported that the Sporting Lisbon coach – who has a £13 million release clause in his contract – has admirers at Old Trafford.
But after missing out on the Liverpool job to Arne Slot and after flying in for talks with West Ham – a move he would apologise for – Amorim has clearly had enough uncertainty for one summer.
“I’m staying at Sporting,” Amorim says, via Fabrizio Romano.
“I’m under contract and it’s a special moment for me, for the club. Now we will try to win the third title together. Let’s try to make it happen.”
Amorim’s comments will have been sweat music to the ears of Sporting fans, Los Leos securing their second Primeira Liga title under the 39-year-old with a 3-0 win over Portimonense. Sporting, who made Amorim the third-most expensive manager in football history when they snapped him up from Braga, had not won the top-flight in two decades before ending their long wait back in 2021.
Who will take Erik ten Hag’s place at Old Trafford?
Despite his obvious tactical strengths and an impressive collection of silverware at such a young age – he has six trophies in four years – Amorim never really felt particularly high up Man United’s wishlist, at least in comparison to that of Liverpool and West Ham.
United In Focus have been informed that Ineos are continuing to monitor a pair of homegrown managers who know English football like the back of their hand, even if neither Graham Potter nor Gareth Southgate are likely to get hairs standing up on end amongst a disillusioned Manchester United fanbase
United In Focus are also told that Ten Hag will not be fired before the FA Cup final clash with Man City on March 25. There is also no chance of Ineos hiring an interim coach, with any decision to be made in the summer.