Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim responds to Manchester United links in press conference

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has commented on speculation linking him with the Manchester United job after he was named as Erik ten Hag's potential replacement.

Ten Hag, who was only appointed in the summer of 2022, is under intense scrutiny following a run of results featuring eight defeats in 15 games.

The 53-year-old is said to be on 'thin ice' at Old Trafford following the club's worst start to a season in 61 years, according to a report from The Times, and a number of names have been earmarked as potential replacements.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is someone United have considered if Ten Hag continues to struggle.

And highly-rated Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim was also named on a shortlist following back-to-back heavy defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle.

Manchester United have played down the above reports, saying it is “categorically false” that they've been exploring alternatives to Ten Hag.

But the question was still put to Amorin in Thursday's post-match press conference following Sporting's 4-2 win over Farense in the Portuguese League Cup.

When asked about United's so-called interest, he said: "This year I’m not going to go back to the same conversation as last year. I’m not going to make any kind of comment on these situations."

Amorin was then prodded to make a further comment on a potential move to Old Trafford.

"We don’t know the future, it depends on the results," he said. "It has more to do with the general idea of ​​what we need as a team, extra pressure so we don’t hide.

"Regarding the future, I have an idea for the end of the season but I won’t say it now. But the results and the context take us to something different.

"I don’t want to be commenting on these things. I have not been contacted by Manchester United."

Amorim, who was also linked with the Chelsea job before Mauricio Pochettino took over, is said to have a release clause of £8.7 million in Lisbon.

When asked if the situation could change if United trigger that release clause, he said: "I’m not going to be commenting on that. I will respect the contract, everything that is there will be fulfilled."

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