Man Utd news: Turki Al-Sheikh's cryptic takeover update as duo to replace Ruben Amorim named

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim went into the international in a slightly more upbeat mood following a much-needed win over Sunderland. The head coach has come under intense pressure this season following a torrid start to the campaign, which has seen a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby and poor league form.

There was speculation that Amorim could be sacked if he failed to beat the Black Cats, but a 2-0 win eased the pressure a little. The Portuguese then received more good news when he received a vote of confidence from minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has insisted he will give the head coach more time to prove himself, possibly as many as three years.

As United fans await the trip to bitter rivals Liverpool following the international break, here’s a round-up of the major news surrounding the Red Devils...

Saudi Arabian sports kingpin Turki Al-Sheikh has raised the prospect of a fresh takeover bid. The club's majority owners, the Glazer family, rejected a takeover by Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani’s Qatari consortium when they sold 27.7 per cent of the club to Ratcliffe for £1.25billion, but would consider offers of more than £5billion for their stake.

The Glazers, whose controversial ownership of the club dates back to 2005, granted Ratcliffe’s Ineos group control of football operations. The American billionaires are deeply unpopular with the United fanbase, who would presumably welcome a full sale of the club.

Al-Sheikh, who as the chairman of Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority is the key mover in the country’s growing influence in sport, has caused intrigue with a cryptic message on social media about a potential takeover of the club. He posted: “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor... I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”

United have not publicly reacted to Al-Sheikh’s claim but there is believed to be surprise and bemusement behind the scenes at Old Trafford, given there has been no recent talk of any takeover.

Despite Ratcliffe’s vote of confidence, it would be hard to see United sticking with Amorim if they become mired in the bottom half of the table, as they were last season, especially having spent more than £200million on new signings in the summer.

If United do pull the trigger, United legends Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane have made it clear who they would like at the helm. Both Neville and Keane would go for long-serving Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane lavished praise on the fiery Argentine, who has led Atletico to the La Liga title and Champions League finals.

The Irishman said: “I’ve said it for years, I’d like Atletico Madrid’s Simeone to go in there. I’d like to see him go there. I know his mate has gone to Arsenal [Andrea Berta, the Gunners’ sporting director who recently left Atletico].

“I think he would just create havoc, but good havoc. He'd rock up to that place. No guarantees, but I'd just like to see his personality, his track record.

“People might think styles of football, [but] they scored five against Real Madrid [winning 5-2] last weekend. He doesn't like his teams giving up too many goals or chances, but they can play a bit and fight.

“At Liverpool [where Atletico lost 3-2 in the Champions League] a few weeks ago… the team aren’t as great as few years ago, but they still had fighting spirit. He’s on the sideline, he got sent off that night, I’d like a big personality.”

However, Keane isn’t pushing for Amorim to be sacked just yet. He joked: “I’d still say give the man a chance, absolutely. Another week.” Neville agreed with Keane, adding: “I think I’d go with that. I’d go with Simeone.”

However, Scholes went for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, although he had reservations about his long-time assistant, Jason Tindall, joining him. He said: “I’m not sure about his mate [Tindall], but definitely him.”

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