Ruben Amorim: The Manchester United prospect states that he has made a decision regarding his future plans.

Ruben Amorim’s potential move to Manchester United remains shrouded in uncertainty. The Sporting CP manager has indicated that no announcement will be forthcoming until after his side’s match on Friday. However, he did suggest that the ongoing “soap opera” surrounding his future is nearing its conclusion.

As speculation mounts regarding the proposed deal, the 39-year-old addressed the media during a press conference, urging patience for “clarification” later in the week. Reports suggest that his appointment as United’s new manager could be postponed until after the November international break, a situation that has left many fans and pundits on tenterhooks.

Amorim was quizzed about the negotiations ahead of Sporting’s upcoming Primeira Liga clash against Estrela. The Lisbon giants are reportedly eager to keep hold of him during a crucial period of fixtures before the international break, which includes a UEFA Champions League encounter with Manchester City and a league match against his former club, Braga.

The Sporting coach is expected to implement significant changes at Old Trafford, potentially bringing key staff members from his current club. However, financial compensation has emerged as a potential hurdle in the negotiations.

In his remarks to the press, Amorim expressed the challenges of maintaining focus amid the swirling speculation. “It’s difficult to focus on the games, but I’m managing to do so,” he stated. “The soap opera is coming to an end, let’s say. The fact that I can’t be so clear creates a lot of difficulty for me.”

When pressed by English journalists, he elaborated, “It’s a negotiation between two clubs. It’s never easy, even with the release clauses. They have to talk. We will have clarification after the game on Friday against Estrela; it will be clear. So it’s one more day, and after the game tomorrow, we will have a decision made.”

Amorim continued, “The situation is very difficult. When I don’t know what to say at a certain point, it makes everything more difficult. When I’m very direct, it’s much easier. Uncertainty creates a lot of difficulty for me, and I have communication problems like any coach. What makes me most nervous is very clear: the whole situation itself. Everything around me makes me very nervous.”

Sporting, currently leading the Portuguese top flight, will face Estrela on Friday, followed by the crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City and the league match against Braga. Amorim emphasised the importance of keeping his team focused, stating, “I will talk at the end of the game. I want the team to focus. I promise that at the end of the game, I will talk about it. Talking about it now is further destabilising for the squad.”

Despite the uncertainty, Amorim did express his admiration for the Premier League, saying, “I like everything about it. I think that in everyone’s life, there are times when we’re doing really well, but then we want something more, maybe to prove something more. But then we don’t know if we’re taking a different step and ruining everything; everyone feels that way.”

Should he take the reins at United in November, Amorim’s first match could be against Ipswich Town, whose manager Kieran McKenna was previously linked with the Old Trafford job during the summer.

While Sporting have maintained that no deal has been finalised, United have refrained from commenting officially. However, board member Sir Dave Brailsford hinted at a resolution, telling supporters “it’s done” as he posed for photographs before Wednesday’s League Cup victory over Leicester City.

In the meantime, United have temporarily appointed former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, a member of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff, to oversee the team. The Dutchman was in charge during a chaotic 5-2 victory.

As for Ten Hag, who finds his side languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and winless in the Europa League, many believe his time at the club is running out. Several managerial colleagues, including Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, have expressed sympathy for the Dutchman. West Ham United’s Julen Lopetegui added his voice to the chorus, stating, “I wish the best for him. He did very good work and he’s a very good coach. I understand these kinds of moments. I’m sure that very soon he is going to be working again, for sure.”

The Red Devils’ next Premier League fixture is a home match against Chelsea on Sunday, a game that could prove pivotal for the club’s fortunes.