Man Utd ‘open talks’ with shock second manager to replace Erik ten Hag despite Ruben Amorim ‘agreement’

Manchester United is reportedly in discussions with Marco Silva about taking over from Erik ten Hag, even as they work on securing Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP.

The club’s defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium was a decisive factor, leading to the announcement of Ten Hag’s dismissal the following day.

The official statement confirmed: “Erik ten Hag has departed as the first-team manager of Manchester United. He was appointed in April 2022 and won two domestic trophies, including the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. We appreciate his contributions and wish him well in the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will serve as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching staff, while a permanent manager is sought.”

In the aftermath, journalist David Ornstein reported that United has initiated talks with Sporting to activate Amorim’s €10m release clause. Although the 39-year-old is open to the transfer, recent reports indicate that a different candidate may now be under consideration.

According to Guillem Balague, United has reached out to Marco Silva regarding a potential position at Old Trafford, amid concerns that Amorim might lean towards Manchester City if Pep Guardiola departs. Balague noted on X: “I’m hearing from Portugal that Ruben Amorim could wait for City if Pep leaves. However, United is pushing for a deal, and Marco Silva has also been contacted.”

Silva has had a successful stint back in the Premier League with Fulham since his dismissal from Everton in 2019, helping the team avoid relegation and achieving 10th and 13th place finishes in the last two seasons. Balague emphasized that Silva is just one option for United, with the prevailing sentiment in Portugal being that Amorim is the frontrunner to replace Ten Hag.