Amorim's AC Milan move could slash Manchester United's £16m compensation bill

Manchester United could see their £15.9m compensation liability to former manager Ruben Amorim reduced substantially if the Portuguese coach is appointed as AC Milan’s new head coach, with Amorim understood to be the Italian club’s preferred candidate.

Amorim was dismissed by United in January after a dismal spell at Old Trafford that produced the worst win ratio (32%), the worst goals-conceded-per-game ratio (1.53), and the lowest clean-sheet ratio (15%) of any manager in the club’s history. His departure, along with that of four members of his coaching staff, triggered a compensation package reported at £15.9m — but that figure would drop significantly were he to walk into a new role at the San Siro.

Milan are searching for a successor to Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked last month after the club finished fifth in Serie A and missed out on Champions League qualification. In a pointed statement, the club’s board described the campaign as “an unequivocal failure”, noting that Milan had been in the top two for much of the season before a collapse in the final stretch.

“For the majority of this season, we were in the top two positions in Serie A, with a credible shot at competing for the Scudetto,” the statement read. “The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point, with last night’s disappointing loss in the final game turning the season into an unequivocal failure. It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganisation of football operations.”

Milan had also considered Andoni Iraola before he accepted the Liverpool job, while former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was also in the frame. Despite Amorim’s troubled tenure in Manchester, his track record at Sporting Lisbon — where he won two league titles and three Portuguese Cups — has kept his reputation largely intact among European clubs.

For United, any reduction in compensation outgoings would free up funds at a time when the club is actively pursuing new signings. Two midfielders are understood to be priorities, with United reportedly closing in on a deal for an Atalanta midfielder.