Ruben Amorim sets record straight on Jose Mourinho comparison amid Manchester United decision

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has firmly rejected any notions of being the new Jose Mourinho despite previously engaging with the legendary coach.

Manchester United are looking to appoint Amorim as their next manager following Erik ten Hag's departure. The 39-year-old would offer a fresh approach for United after they suffered their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign this year.

The Reds are set to trigger Amorim's £8.3million release clause, bringing a promising Portuguese talent into the Premier League which inevitably drew parallels with former United, Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mourinho, who also jumped from Portugal to England's top flight. But any direct comparisons have been dismissed by Amorim himself.

In March 2023, after Sporting's Europa League triumph over Arsenal, he recounted a message from Mourinho, then at Roma, acknowledging both their successes. "The new Mourinho? There will never be a new Mourinho," Amorim dismissed.

"Mourinho is one of a kind. He's already texted me: 'The old and the new [Mourinho] are still in, I'll see you in the next stage!'

"But there won't be another Mourinho... The new Mourinho I won't be, but I'm happy to carry on at Sporting's project."

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Amorim, previously linked with top clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City, has an impressive track record with Sporting, clinching the Portuguese title last season and ending the club's 19-year wait for the league in 2021. His win ratio stands at a remarkable 71.7 per cent across 227 matches with Sporting, along with two domestic cups and the 2022 Portugal Super Cup since his start in March 2020, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Ahead of their quarter-final cup tie with Nacional, Sporting confirmed Manchester United's interest with a statement on Tuesday afternoon: "Manchester United has expressed an interest in paying Sporting the amount of the aforementioned [compensation] clause," it read. Meanwhile, Amorim confirmed United's interest in his post-match press conference.

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