Ex Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim lines up £85m double swoop on former club

Ruben Amorim is reportedly lining up an £85 million double swoop for two of his favourite players after taking the AC Milan job.

Amorim was sacked by Manchester United in January following a 1-1 draw with Leeds, his dismissal coming after he spoke out against the board.

He was replaced by Michael Carrick, who came in on interim basis but has been appointed full-time after the former midfielder guided United to a third place Premier League finish and a return to the Champions League.

Although linked with a number of different vacancies, Amorim has been enjoying an extended break from management.

But he has now finally made a return to the game, taking the reins at Milan after the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri following a dismal season in Serie A.

The Portuguese is not wasting any time in adding to his squad, with reports claiming that he wants to sign Sporting CP pair Francisco Trincao and Morten Hjulmand for the Rossoneri.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the duo are Amorim's top targets and he believes they are exactly the type of players who can help Milan find their level again after they came fifth and missed out on Champions League football.

Amorim knows both players well from his time with Sporting, winning the league title in the 2023/24 campaign prior to him taking the United job.

Denmark international Hjulmand, Sporting's captain, is understood to have an agreement to leave the club for a fee of £35 million this summer despite having a £69 million release clause in his contract.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim offered unexpected Man Utd player as first AC Milan signing

Meanwhile, Trincao, who has scored 47 times since joining from Barcelona, is available for around £51 million thanks to his buyout clause.

That would bring the total cost of the potential double deal to £85 million, though they could face competition for both players.

United have been linked with Hjulmand, with rivals Manchester City credited as being interest in Trincao in the past.

Amorim's reputation as one of the top young coaches in world football was left in tatters after he failed in 14 months United, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Spurs.

He ended with a 38.1% win ratio at Old Trafford before he was given the boot. He now looks to put that disaster stint behind him at Milan, where he is faced with another difficult challenge.

"There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine," Amorim said after his announcement.

"I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world. It is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm, fully aware of what these colors represent.

"I can't wait to get started and to experience every day the passion that drives AC Milan."

Amorim's Milan take on his former United side in a pre-season friendly on August 15 in Poland.