Manchester United fans will have to wait before officially welcoming Ruben Amorim as their new manager. Although the club reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, the 39-year-old Amorim won’t take charge at Old Trafford until late November. This follows the dismissal of Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the season, leaving United in 14th place in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s exit marks a new chapter for the team, with hopes that Amorim can revitalize the squad.
In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy has stepped in as caretaker manager. His first match back saw United triumph 5-2 over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, lifting the team’s spirits and excitement among fans. Initially, there were hopes Amorim could join the squad for their upcoming Premier League match against Chelsea this Sunday. However, due to contractual obligations and notice periods with Sporting Lisbon, Van Nistelrooy will manage not just that game but three more before Amorim officially takes over.
Amorim’s transition to United will take several weeks as he completes a 30-day notice period with Sporting Lisbon. He will oversee three final matches, including a league game against Estrela da Amadora on Friday, a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City on Tuesday, and his last match with Sporting against Braga on November 10. He is expected to debut as Manchester United’s manager on November 24, in an away match against Ipswich Town, where he will face Kieran McKenna, a former United staff member.
While Amorim wraps up his commitments in Portugal, Van Nistelrooy will lead the team through several tough fixtures. After Chelsea, they will face PAOK Thessaloniki in the Europa League, where United seeks their first win this season to keep their European hopes alive.
Reflecting on his caretaker role, Van Nistelrooy expressed his dedication to supporting the club. After the victory over Leicester City, he stated, “I came here to assist the club. I’m focused on building a strong future.” His commitment indicates that while his tenure may be temporary, he is determined to stabilize the team in preparation for Amorim’s arrival.
