Sporting coach Ruben Amorim has agreed in principle to become the next Manchester United manager.

United and Sporting are negotiating a compensation package but Amorim has been convinced to take over as Erik ten Hag’s permanent replacement.

United made contact with Sporting amid interest from Manchester City. Amorim had been earmarked as City’s prime target to replace Pep Guardiola should he decide to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.

City’s incoming sporting director, Hugo Viana, will see out the season at Sporting and is professionally and personally close with Amorim.

However, United tried to convince Amorim that City will become a fading force if Guardiola departs next year. City have won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup since Guardiola took over in 2016.

United chief executive Omar Berrada defected to the club from City earlier this year and has been reunited at Old Trafford with technical director Jason Wilcox, formerly a coach and academy director at City.

Berrada also arranged for the appointment of chief communications officer Toby Craig, having known him at City.