Man City 'withdraws' for Manchester United to complete Ruben Amiron deal

Manchester City have reportedly pulled out to allow rivals Manchester United to appoint Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag was fired from his role as United boss on Monday afternoon after a tenure of just over two years in charge.

The Dutchman left Old Trafford having won a trophy in each of his two full seasons while boasting a winning percentage of 54 per cent in his 128 games as manager.

But with United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table and winless in the Europa League this season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS had no choice but to call it quits.

Former Red Devils star Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named in caretaker charge, but he may not stay in the dugout for long given United have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim .

His performances in Portugal, where he won two league titles with Sporting, had led to claims that Premier League champions City were courting Amorim as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola, with the Catalan's contract due to expire this summer.

Ties intensified earlier this year when the Blues announced that Hugo Viana, the current sporting director of football and mastermind behind the Amorim project, would succeed outgoing DoF Txiki Begiristain in the new year.

Yet reports from ESPN suggest that the City hierarchy are not worried about Amorim being in talks with their Premier League rivals, paving the way for United to secure his signature.

It is suggested that Amorim's unwavering loyalty to a three-at-the-back system is something that has put City off, as they are believed to be in favor of continuing the Guardiola style following the former chief's departure. Barcelona.

The 39-year-old, who was on the shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool last season, enjoyed an impressive spell with the Portuguese side, winning two league titles in three years.

However, Amorim's potential appointment has not received the support of everyone, including United legend Paul Scholes, who instead wants to see his former team appoint Zinedine Zidane.

Asked about the now vacant manager position, he replied: “I think [the new manager] must have experience at an elite football club. They're one of the biggest clubs in the world, so they should have the best in class.

“Zidane is the one who played for a very big club and won major honors. But I'm not sure about his level of education in English or if he actually wants to come to England. You never get that feeling with him.”

United return to action on Wednesday evening when they take on Leicester City in the fourth round of the League Cup.