Manchester United could reportedly be forced to wait 'a number of weeks' to appoint Ruben Amorim as their new manager due to the notice period in his contract at Sporting Lisbon.

The Red Devils want the highly-rated Portuguese head coach to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, with the latter sacked on Monday morning due to the team's difficulties during the 2024-25 campaign.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the notice period in Amorim's contract is 'a number of weeks', meaning that Man United could be forced to wait to bring in the 39-year-old as Ten Hag's replacement.

The report claims that the 20-time English champions are in discussions with Sporting over reducing the notice period, but it remains to be seen when he could be allowed to take charge of the Manchester giants.

Man United may allegedly have to wait until after the November international break to appoint Amorim, with his first game at the helm potentially being the trip to Ipswich Town on November 24.

Amorim's notice period in Sporting contract is 'weeks rather than days'

The Red Devils are back in action on Wednesday evening, hosting Leicester City in the last-16 stage of the EFL Cup, before welcoming Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Man United's four games ahead of the November international break are all at home, with PAOK also visiting their famous stadium in the Europa League on November 7, before Leicester return there for a league fixture on November 10.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in charge of the club on a temporary basis, and it remains to be seen how long the Dutchman, who arrived as Ten Hag's assistant over the summer, spends at the helm.

Amorim refused to give anything away when he was questioned on his future on Tuesday night, with the Portuguese insisting that no final decision has been made despite the strong links with Man United.

Mourinho backs Amorim ahead of potential Old Trafford move

Former Man United head coach Jose Mourinho has insisted that Amorim has the credentials to manage the 20-time English champions, claiming that he has "the conditions to be able to coach in any league".

"It's also a question I shouldn't answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] as a person, I like him as a coach," Mourinho told Mais Futebol.

"I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club, but he's in a good league and he's in a big club.

"The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments. What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach."

Should Amorim arrive at Old Trafford, he will be taking charge of a team that are currently down in 14th spot in the Premier League table, seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa after nine games of the campaign.