Amorim's likely AC Milan move set to slash Manchester United's £16m severance bill

Manchester United’s £15.9m compensation liability to sacked manager Ruben Amorim is set to be significantly reduced if the Portuguese coach completes an expected appointment at AC Milan, where he has emerged as the front-runner to replace Massimiliano Allegri.

Amorim was dismissed by United in January after just 14 months in charge, with the club covering not only his own pay-off but also settlements for his backroom staff — coaches Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido, Emanuel Ferro and Jorge Vital. Standard football contracts typically include clauses that reduce compensation owed when a sacked manager finds new employment, and it is understood that mechanism will apply here once a deal with Milan is formalised.

Milan had explored other options before settling on Amorim. Andoni Iraola was considered before he agreed to join Liverpool, and former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was also in the running. Talks with Amorim are now described as advanced, with the 40-year-old closing in on a return to management at the San Siro.

Allegri was sacked by Milan last month after the club finished fifth in Serie A, missing out on Champions League qualification. Milan’s board labelled the campaign an “unequivocal failure” — a damning verdict that came as city rivals Inter Milan claimed their second league title in three seasons, with Milan losing seven of their final 13 games.

Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford produced the worst statistical record of any United manager in the Premier League era. He registered a 32 per cent win rate, conceded 1.53 goals per game and kept clean sheets in just 15 per cent of matches. United also suffered a defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, and the season was later described as the club’s worst in 51 years.

Despite those numbers, Amorim left the club with it sitting sixth in the Premier League table, and he was credited internally with raising training standards at Carrington. United CEO Omar Berrada offered a measured endorsement after the sacking: “Ruben Amorim deserves a lot of credit. In a very difficult season he helped raise standards in the dressing room. I am sure he will go on to be a successful coach.”

Amorim’s appointment at Milan would also set up an early reunion with his former employers. The two clubs are scheduled to meet in a pre-season friendly in Wroclaw, Poland on 15 August.