Man Utd already handed blunt Ruben Amorim verdict after Liverpool links - 'Not mature enough'

Ruben Amorim was branded ‘not mature enough’ to take over a club like Liverpool before his apparent move to Manchester United was agreed.

The Sporting CP boss looks poised to take over from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after the Dutchman was fired on Monday. The change comes after United suffered its fourth defeat of the season at West Ham, and just a few months after he was handed a new contract.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United has agreed a deal in principle for Amorim to become their new manager, with talks ongoing. The move comes after the Portuguese was heavily linked with taking over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

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The Reds ultimately decided against Amorim and turned their attention to Arne Slot instead, although that didn’t stop the 39-year-old from flirting with a move to the Premier League.

Amorim was seen arriving in London earlier this year for talks with West Ham. He would end up staying put in Lisbon, while the Hammers turned to Julen Lopetegui to replace David Moyes instead, but the decision to fly for talks did not go down well in Portugal.

He made the journey shortly before Sporting’s clash with rivals Porto, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Amorim subsequently apologized for his actions, although that didn’t stop some scathing reviews from the Portuguese media.

Writing in his column for Record at the time, journalist Eduardo Damaso said: “On the verge of a classic of the greatest importance, Amorim, known for the emotional intelligence he has shown in leading the Sporting team, made a huge false step that, ultimately, could have cost the Lions their title.

“He showed, after all, by himself and through the actions of an inept agent, that Liverpool was a mirage. It showed that the quick trip to London to talk to someone from West Wam seemed like a poorly executed market auction and, much worse, that control of the team on the eve of a game with FC Porto would be a minor issue.”

Damaso added: “You don't need to be an expert to understand that the players must not have enjoyed, not even a little bit, seeing their coach minding his own business, while asking them to concentrate on the upcoming game.

“It is a clear mishap that, incidentally, also shows something else: if Amorim's qualities as a coach are indisputable, he still will not be mature enough to think about higher flights than Sporting and the Portuguese League.”