Manchester United’s plans to appoint Ruben Amorim as their new head coach have suffered a major setback. The Portuguese manager, who was expected to take over at Old Trafford on Monday, November 11, 2024, has been delayed due to unforeseen administrative complications. Amorim, who managed Sporting CP for several successful years, was poised to replace Erik ten Hag following a period of underperformance from the team, but his move to Manchester has now been postponed.
Amorim’s contract with Sporting CP ended after his final match this past Sunday, and he had been widely expected to join the Red Devils immediately, with official announcements scheduled for today. However, as reported by *The Telegraph*, the arrival of the 39-year-old coach has been delayed due to issues surrounding his work visa. The complications stem from the post-Brexit regulations that now govern the movement of workers from the European Union to the United Kingdom.
The British authorities have yet to approve the necessary paperwork for Amorim to enter the country and begin his duties as Manchester United’s new manager. As a result, the coach is unable to start his tenure at the club until the visa situation is resolved. This unexpected delay comes as a significant blow to the club, which had hoped Amorim’s arrival would help to revitalize the squad and restore their competitive edge.
United’s board had identified Amorim as the ideal candidate to take the reins at the club after Erik ten Hag’s disappointing run of results. Amorim, who enjoyed a highly successful stint at Sporting CP, was seen as the man who could bring a fresh approach to Manchester United’s tactical setup and help guide them back to the top of English football. His reputation for developing young talent and playing an attractive, aggressive style of football had made him a fan favorite even before his appointment was confirmed.
The delay, however, casts a shadow over United’s immediate future. The club was hoping for a quick resolution to their managerial situation in order to get back on track in both domestic and European competitions. With Amorim now sidelined due to bureaucratic issues, the club will have to wait for his visa to be processed before they can make any further decisions about the future of their team.
While this issue is being worked out, Manchester United will continue under the interim management of their current coaching staff. However, many fans and pundits believe that the longer the club remains in limbo without a permanent manager, the harder it will be to achieve the results they need to salvage their season.
The delay also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by European football clubs following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, with new immigration rules making it more complicated for foreign nationals to work in the UK. While Amorim is well-respected across Europe for his achievements with Sporting, these post-Brexit visa requirements have created a significant obstacle for him in securing his new role at Manchester United.
As it stands, the situation remains fluid, and the club is eagerly awaiting the resolution of Amorim’s visa issues. In the meantime, Manchester United’s supporters will have to wait for the arrival of their new manager and hope that this delay does not derail their ambitions for the season.
