Amorim's successor 'confirmed' with Sporting manager 'set to join Man United'

Sporting Lisbon has reportedly identified the successor to Ruben Amorim should their manager complete a move to join Manchester United.

Man United entered talks on Monday for Amorim after the Red Devils announced the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.

Mail Sport revealed last week that Amorim was one of four targets if Ten Hag was axed, and United announced on Monday morning that the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford was over.

The 39-year-old, who was interviewed over the managerial vacancies at Liverpool and West Ham earlier this year, is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford.

It’s understood that Amorim was planning to leave Sporting at the end of the season.

Amorim was made aware of United’s interest earlier this month and has had two rounds of talks.

Sporting have reportedly already lined up Amorim's successor with the club currently top of the Primeira Liga having won their opening nine matches.

The Portuguese giants are expected to appoint Joao Pereira to take charge of the team, according to A Bola.

The outlet state that the club have already precautionary plans for Pereira to be elevated from his role as manager of the club's B team.

Pereira had three spells as a player at Sporting during his career, with the right back part of their title winning team under Amorim in 2021.

Amorim had talked up Pereira's prospects of becoming a Sporting coach in the future.

'Joao Pereira is making his mark, I think he is an excellent coach,' Amorim said in May.

'He has all the conditions to become Sporting 's coach.'

Pereira would be tasked with continuing Sporting's success under Amorim, who guided the club to two domestic titles and two triumphs in the Portuguese League Cup.

Sporting are currently well placed in the Champions League after three matches, having won two and drawn one of their opening three games.

The Portuguese giants are currently eighth in the revamped league phase, putting them in a qualification spot in the early stages of the competition.