Pressure is mounting on yet another Manchester United manager after Erik ten Hag's difficult start to the season.
The Dutchman who enjoyed an impressive debut season at Old Trafford, is falling into the same trap as those who came before him, with a run of eight losses in their opening 15 games raising questions over his future at the club.
United are already reportedly considering alternatives should Ten Hag become the latest manager to bite the dust as the latest in a line of managers to be sacked in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane is the big-name target, but Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Almorim is the other name in the frame according to the Times.
Though he doesn't hold the same star power as the Frenchman, there is a reason why the 38-year-old Portuguese coach has been linked with a host of top English jobs.
Ruben Amorim has been linked as a potential successor for struggling Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
Amorim guided Sporting Lisbon to their first title in 19 years during the 2020-21 season
Erik ten Hag's side have lost eight out of their opening 15 games in all competitions this season
This is not expected to delay the investment, though, as Ratcliffe is expected to hand over the majority of the money to the club before the end of the year.
Amorim went into management on the back of a solid playing career where he played for Portuguese sides Benfica, Braga and Belenenses. The midfielder found success at Benfica where he was part of three title-winning sides - making 154 appearances in six seasons.
However, numerous injuries led to him curtailing his playing career early at the age of 32 and then went into coaching with Braga where he became their senior manager in January 2020.
It took him four months to win a trophy in the shape of the Portuguese League Cup and by March 2020 he had already left the club for Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim's incredible rise up the ranks hit new heights one year later, as he led Sporting to their first title in 19 years in his first full season.
They have been unable to repeat that feat in the last two seasons - finishing second and then fourth - which might be a cause for concern for Man United fans.
However, they have impressed in Europe, making the knockout stages of the 2021-22 Champions League, while beating both Tottenham and Arsenal in Europe last season.
Amorim is still only 38, and would be the youngest permanent Manchester United manager of the Premier League era.
Amorim's Sporting side picked up victories over Tottenham and Arsenal last season in Europe
Amorim reportedly has a £10m release clause which prospective clubs would have to trigger
It would be a huge responsibility to take on when legendary managers like Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, a Premier League veteran in David Moyes and a Manchester United legend in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all failed in their pursuit of returning the Red Devils to former glory.
But perhaps bringing in a young, vibrant manager is exactly what the Red Devils need.
There would undoubtedly be concern over his age and rightfully so as young managers haven't tended to work out in the Premier League.
The youngest Premier League winning manager of all time is Jose Mourinho at 42 in 2004-05, though Mikel Arteta came desperately close with Arsenal at 41 last year.
Mourinho, as he liked to point out, was a special manager at that time of his career and his greatness was there for all to see as he guided Sporting's rivals Porto to the UEFA Cup and Champions League in back-to-back seasons.
Sporting though were unable to keep a number of key players after they won the title however, losing Nuno Mendes, Joao Palhinha and Matheus Nunes. This is an issue he would not have to contend with at Old Trafford.
At the Portuguese side he has traditionally played with a 3-4-3 system which can change to five at the back when they are defending.
He likes his teams to play possession efficient football with a fluid front three that rotates to find space between the lines. The players engage in zonal marking most of the time and plays with a high defensive line.
Amorim has had to contend with losing top players including Joao Palhinha to Fulham
After dropping to fourth last season, Sporting appear to be back in title contention this season and are top of the table as they are unbeaten in their opening nine matches
Manchester United fans might fear the job is too much for Amorim given their struggles in recent years under a wide array of veteran managers such as Jose Mourinho
Under Amorim, Sporting appear to be heading on their way back up this season as they are top of their league and unbeaten in nine games - with eight victories.
Manchester United are not the first Premier League side to be linked with a move for Amorim.
Aston Villa spoke to Amorim as a replacement for Steven Gerrard, though there were reports they would have to pay a £10m release clause to get him from Sporting - and ultimately ended up with Unai Emery.
He was later linked with both Chelsea and Tottenham, who ultimately went for Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou respectively.
This year I’m not going to go back to the same conversation as last year,' he said when asked about whether he could be tempted by a move to United following Sporting's 4-2 win over Farense in the Portuguese Cup on Thursday.
‘I’m not going to make any kind of comment on these situations. We don’t know the future, it depends on the results.'
Amorim was previously linked to replace Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, as well as positions at Chelsea and Tottenham before they went for Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou
Amorim went on to suggest that he has a good idea of how he would like things to pan out over the coming months, but kept his cards close to his chest before revealing that he has not spoken to United yet.
'Regarding the future, I have an idea for the end of the season but I won’t say it now. But the results and the context take us to something different,' he added.
‘I don’t want to be commenting on these things. I have not been contacted by Manchester United.’
When asked whether his stance would change if the £10m clause was triggered, he replied: ‘I’m not going to be commenting on that.
‘I will respect the contract, everything that is there will be fulfilled.’
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