Portuguese Football in English
Manchester United have officially confirmed the appointment of Sporting’s Rúben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag as manager at Old Trafford, just hours ahead of Sporting’s match with Estrela tonight.
Amorim will officially begin work on Monday 11th November, the day after Sporting travel to Braga for what will be last match in charge. In the meantime, the Lions boss will say goodbye to Alvalade when his side host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The football world in Portugal has focused on nothing else for days. Ever since it emerged Manchester United had earmarked Rúben Amorim as the man to replace outgoing manager Ten Hag, and the Sporting coach was receptive to an immediate move, the local media have been talking about little else.
With no denial forthcoming from Sporting or Amorim himself, the appointment of the 39-year-old at Old Trafford looked set for a swift conclusion, especially after Sporting yesterday officially informed the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) that Manchester United had “expressed their interest in paying the release clause of €10 million” in Amorim’s contract.
But looks can be deceptive. Tom Kundert reports from Lisbon.
Porto maintained the pace in the Primeira Liga after a comfortable 5-0 victory against AVS.
It was one way traffic from the opening whistle at Estádio do Clube Desportivo das Aves, the hosts saved by the woodwork on two occasions before the floodgates opened.
The opening goal came in the 22nd minute when Nico González headed Fábio Vieira’s cross past Guillermo Ochoa.
Samu Omorodion was back in the spotlight 10 minutes later when he did well to convert Martim Fernandes’ cross. It was the same combination in the 38th minute, Samu heading Fernandes’ cross into the net.
The Spanish striker completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time when he raced onto Pepê’s through ball, rounded Ochoa and finished from a tight angle.
The Dragons cruised to the finish line in the second half, Rodrigo Mora’s deflected strike in the 88th minute giving the 17-year-old his first senior goal.
Less than 24 hours after sacking manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United appear to have focused their attention on Sporting manager Rúben Amorim.
According to respected sources in England, United aim to pay Amorim’s €10m release clause, with the Sporting boss open to accepting the offer to move to Old Trafford.
Benfica bounced back from their midweek defeat in the Champions League in fine style by crushing a poor Rio Ave side 5-0 in Lisbon this afternoon.
Two early goals from Kerem Akturköglu set the Eagles on the road to a straightforward victory, with the Turk completing his hat-trick on the stroke of half time.
