From Cristiano to Nani & Fernandes: latest Sporting CP signing ideal for Man United - but timing is everything

Manchester United have finally parted ways with Erik ten Hag. The decision to axe the Dutch manager has been met with relief by fans who grew frustrated with his lack of style and poor results, which currently have the team sitting 14th in the Premier League table after 9 games, with more losses than wins.

The sacking comes about five months too late. The club’s hierarchy were prepared to give him a farewell handshake at the end of last season but made the unexpected decision to retain him following the surprise FA Cup win over city rivals Manchester City. As if that wasn’t questionable enough, they also allowed him to appoint new coaching staff and oversee another transfer window, despite his failure to develop the players he had signed in previous windows.

Now, the club is on the hunt for a permanent manager, following the appointment of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as caretaker. Xavi Hernandez, Graham Potter, former England boss Gareth Southgate, and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim have all been linked to the job, with Amorim now set to get the job as United are willing to pay his release clause.

Securing Ruben Amorim would be a statement signing for Manchester United. The 39-year-old, along with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, is one of the most sought-after young tacticians in the game, respected for his style, personality, and results.

He disrupted the FC Porto and Benfica duopoly in the Portuguese league, leading Sporting Lisbon to their first league title in 19 years in the 2020/21 season. He won his second league title last season and has started well in the Champions League this season, securing 7 points from a possible 9 despite having played two away games.

Interestingly, in the blue half of Manchester, Amorim is seen as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, should he step down at the end of the season. This indicates just how highly rated he is in football circles.

While Amorim seems an obvious choice, the real question is when he should take over at Manchester United - now or at the end of the season. Each option has its own pros and cons.

Joining now means he inherits a team lacking confidence, and if he doesn’t manage a quick turnaround, he may face reactionary criticism and added pressure. This pressure could force him to adjust his preferred style in favour of short-term results.

However, if he does quickly improve results, it may be attributed to the so-called “new manager bounce”—a temporary uplift that often masks deeper issues within the squad. This bounce can mislead a manager into thinking everything is on track, only for problems to resurface once the summer transfer window closes.

Alternatively, United could sign Amorim now but allow him to join in the summer. From Portugal, he could observe the team, identify who he wants to sign and decide which players to let go in preparation for implementing his style. Given Manchester United’s disjointed performances, any new manager would likely benefit from a full preseason to align the players with his approach.

Manchester United have a strong history of successful signings from Sporting Lisbon, with club legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, and Bruno Fernandes joining from there. In a sport filled with superstitions, fans can hardly be blamed for believing Ruben Amorim could be the perfect choice to finally end United’s prolonged struggles.