Manchester United make head coach decision ahead of Chelsea clash with statement released

Manchester United have seemingly made a decision regarding their manager's position just days before facing Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Blues host the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge this Sunday in the top flight as they look to continue their winning form. Chelsea claimed a 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday and will be looking to secure another three points against their fierce rivals, United, at the end of the week.

Man United confirmed the departure of Erik ten Hag as the club's manager on Monday, less than 24 hours after their defeat to West Ham which left the club in 14th place in the Premier League table. Hours later, rumours started to emerge that Man United wanted to appoint Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim as their new manager.

It has been speculated that Amorim, who has previously been linked with the manager's jobs at Chelsea as well as Liverpool and West Ham in the past, has a €10million (£8.3million) release clause in his contract at Sporting. Now it has seemingly been confirmed that Man United plan to appoint Amorim as their replacement for Ten Hag just days before facing Chelsea.

In a statement issued to Securities Market Commission (CMVM) in Portugal on Tuesday, via Record, Sporting have confirmed that Man United have informed them of their intention to meet the release clause in Amorim's contract.

"Manchester United FC has expressed an interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, with the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD [Lisbon] referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of €10,000,000 (£8.3million," the statement read.

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"Manchester United FC has expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of the aforementioned clause."

It remains to be seen if an agreement will be reached for Amorim to become Man United's next manager. As a result, the wait goes on to see if the 39-year-old will be in the opposition dugout at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea take on their Premier League rivals this Sunday.