Amorim handed challenge of restoring glory days to Man Utd

LONDON: Ruben Amorim was Friday named as the new manager of Manchester United with a brief to restore the struggling Premier League giants to the pinnacle of English and European football.

The 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon coach quickly emerged as the hot favourite for the Old Trafford job after Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday following a terrible start to the season.

Amorim has signed a deal until 2027 and will join the club on November 11, becoming the sixth permanent manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach of the men´s first team, subject to work visa requirements,” the club said on its website.

“He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club.” United described Amorim as “one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football”.

“Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP -- the first of which was the club´s first title in 19 years,” the club statement said. Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in temporary charge until Amorim arrives at Old Trafford. The Portuguese coach will oversee Sporting´s three remaining matches before the international break, starting with a game against Estrela on Friday.