Football manager Ruben Amorim has denied talks of a deal with Manchester United that could make him the Premier League club’s next manager after his current employer, Sporting CP, announced that United were willing to pay the Portuguese club his termination clause of 10.79 million dollars for a transfer. to the United Kingdom.

Amorim said on Tuesday that “nothing has been decided yet” after United made him their top target to replace sacked manager Erik ten Hag and a statement issued by Sporting to the Lisbon stock exchange said United were willing to comply with its termination clause.

The 39-year-old was cautious when asked after Sporting’s League Cup victory against Nacional if this was his last game for the Portuguese club.

“No one knows if this was my farewell game. Nothing has been decided yet,” he stated, according to the sports newspaper A Bola.

The British media indicated that United would have liked the Portuguese manager to be present for the league match against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, but Amorim would not confirm anything.

“I have nothing to say now, here we are analyzing. Anything I say will only create more noise,” Amorim said.

“There is nothing to talk about. There is the club’s statement, everyone knows it. The club said it. For the rest, we do not know the exact details. We’ll see.

“There is an intention on the part of the club (United), which is in talks with Sporting, but it will always be my decision. Talking about it now is only creating noise for the club and this whole situation.

“I can’t promise anything. What I do know is that tomorrow I will be training and I will prepare for the league game against c on Friday.”

Amorim tried to divert the questions to the game, but had to repeat the same answer several times while journalists asked him about United.

Sporting had previously informed the Portuguese Securities Market Commission of the Premier League club’s interest.

“Manchester United FC expressed its interest in hiring coach Rubén Amorim, with the Sporting board referring to the terms and conditions established in the current employment contract between the company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and for the amount of 10,000,000 euros. ($10.79 million),” said a statement from the Lisbon-based club.

Portuguese media reported that the match against Nacional would be his last in charge of Sporting and that Amorim is negotiating with United over his staff and salary.

Amorim has been coveted by several clubs, including Liverpool, where he was heavily linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp last season and the club ultimately decided to sign Arne Slot. He also held talks with West Ham United to replace David Moyes before opting to remain in Lisbon.

Amorim’s qualities ‘are visible to all’

If his move to United goes ahead, Amorim would take on what is considered one of the most scrutinized jobs in football at a club clamoring for a return to the glory days.

Ten Hag, who was sacked a day after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, was the fifth permanent manager since the club’s most successful manager, Alex Ferguson, to try to take them there.

The Portuguese is no stranger to the pressure cooker of Old Trafford, having completed a coaching internship under Jose Mourinho at the club six years ago.

He also has a fan in United captain and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who said earlier this month that “Since Mr Amorim arrived at Sporting, they have been one of the best football-playing teams.

“They have been consistent, the signings have been correct and they are in a very good moment,” Fernandes said at a Portugal press conference during the international break.

“It is a very well prepared team. Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy. Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and already won two, which shows that the work has been done well.

“Whether he managed to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you’ll never know until you get there, but I’m sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.”

United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge of Wednesday’s League Cup match at home against Leicester City.