Ruben Amorim could prevent Liverpool from signing transfer target Goncalo Inacio.
The 39-year-old Primeira Liga manager’s potential move to Manchester now appears to be close to completion.
Ben Jacobs reports to X (formerly Twitter) that a move to Old Trafford is ‘imminent’ after verbally agreeing to replace Erik ten Hag.
cameo appearance @talkSPORT‘s Inside Devils talks about Ruben Amorim’s impending appointment. #MUFC.🎙️https://t.co/YE2LArX1wC
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 29, 2024
Scenes from Sporting Lisbon’s Taca da Liga clash with Nacional – courtesy of X’s Fabrizio Roman, as fans say goodbye to their beloved manager – clearly indicate that one outcome is inevitable.
💚 Sports Fan ✖️ Rúben Amorim is set to move to Manchester United.pic.twitter.com/r5Rj9Ib0OC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024
If the former Braga manager agrees to move mid-season in 2024/25, he would become United’s 10th new manager (including caretaker and interim coach) since Sir Alex Ferguson left the role in 2013.
That’s a far cry from the Premier League giant’s great looks!
Links from Ruben Amorim to Liverpool’s appointment of Arne Slott
The Sporting CP boss was once tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer but was pushed out of the job by Pejöneurt’s Arne Slot.
Despite the surprising lack of Liverpool transfers in the summer, there can be no complaints about how things have progressed since then.
The Merseysiders’ only defeat in 2024/25 came against Nottingham Forest in mid-September. The title challengers subsequently dropped to second in the Premier League after a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Liverpool have been linked with a transfer to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
portugal outlet J.N. Goncalo Inacio was one of the names identified as a potential Liverpool signing.
With the Red Devils attempting a move, there’s a good chance our league rivals will intercept the move.
🚨 Ruben Amorim has given Manchester United an early green light. He wants to join the club and accept the project and the terms discussed.
Amorim respects Sporting… so now it’s up to negotiations between the clubs.
The exit clause for top clubs is around €10m. pic.twitter.com/zTRdbbGeNg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024
Manchester United brought a talented young centre-back named Lenny Yoro to Manchester last summer. However, considering the Sporting CP coach’s preference for a back three, the defense could be strengthened even further.
Why didn’t Liverpool sign Goncalo Inacio in the summer?
The fact that the number 25 is part of the back three may have been the main reason for Liverpool’s lack of movement here.
Compared to a traditional back four, the demands on central defenders are obviously very different.
Of course, Goncalo Inacio stands out statistically as a left-sided centre-back. The Portugal national team ranked in the 90th and 99th percentile in passes completed and number of passes advanced. FBref. These are numbers that would certainly appeal to Arne Slot’s brand of possession-oriented football.
However, if we are looking for a successor to Virgil van Dijk, there are some notable concerns. Perhaps the most important of these is the relative lack of aerial presence. Inacio secured an average aerial duel winning percentage of 56.9% compared to our No.4’s 75.8%.
However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool are likely to revive January transfer speculation and compete with Manchester United.
