Amorim set to face Manchester United in pre-season after agreeing AC Milan deal

Ruben Amorim is set to return to management with AC Milan, placing him on a collision course with Manchester United in a pre-season fixture in Wroclaw on 15 August — less than seven months after he was sacked by the club.

Milan turned to Amorim after finishing fifth in Serie A, a result that cost Massimiliano Allegri his job and left the club outside the Champions League places. Crystal Palace’s recently departed manager Oliver Glasner was also considered before the Rossoneri moved to pursue the Portuguese coach.

Amorim was dismissed by United in January after just 14 months in charge, with the club subsequently appointing Michael Carrick as interim manager. United’s form improved markedly under Carrick, with the Red Devils climbing to third in the Premier League table using a different tactical approach.

His departure triggered a significant compensation bill. Amorim and his coaching staff were set to cost United up to £15.9 million, but reports in Italy indicate he has agreed to waive the remaining year’s pay owed to him in order to return to the dugout sooner.

If the move is confirmed as expected, Amorim’s first match in charge of Milan will be a pre-season fixture at Celtic on 25 July. He will inherit a squad that includes England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek and United States international Christian Pulisic.

Amorim built his reputation at Sporting Lisbon, where he broke the long-standing dominance of Porto and Benfica by delivering the club’s first league title in 19 years in 2021. He won the Primeira Liga again in 2024 and claimed the Portuguese Cup twice, achievements that persuaded United to appoint him as Erik ten Hag’s successor.

Last month, Amorim distanced himself from the managerial vacancy at Benfica after it emerged that José Mourinho was set to leave for Real Madrid, suggesting his focus had already turned to the Milan opportunity.