In a stunning twist for Manchester United's managerial search, top target Ruben Amorim has publicly committed his future to Sporting Lisbon, effectively ruling himself out of the running for the Old Trafford hot seat.
The highly-rated Portuguese boss, who had been heavily linked with a summer move to replace the under-pressure Erik ten Hag, dropped the bombshell during a press conference. His declaration comes just days after reports emerged of a 'secret meeting' between his representatives and the Red Devils' new hierarchy, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
'I'm not going to leave Sporting,' Amorim stated emphatically. 'I turned down an offer from Liverpool because I want to stay here. I've already said that I'm staying at Sporting.'
This firm rebuttal is a significant setback for United's new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, who is spearheading the club's search for a potential new manager. Amorim was understood to be a primary candidate on their shortlist, admired for his attacking philosophy and proven track record of winning the Liga Portugal title.
The news will also raise further questions about the future of current boss Ten Hag. Despite an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, the Dutchman's position remains precarious following a dismal eighth-place finish in the Premier League.
With Amorim now seemingly out of the picture, United's search may have to pivot towards other candidates. England manager Gareth Southgate has also been frequently mentioned as a potential option for the role.
For now, United's hopes of landing one of Europe's most exciting young managers appear to be over before they ever really began, leaving the club's ambitious new regime with a major headache to solve.
