It would be very strange if the deal [for Ruben Amorim] collapsed now and I think Manchester United would be scrambling around for a new manager if it did collapse.
It was interesting because an Ineos key figure, Sir Dave Brailsford, actually said to a couple of fans that the deal was done last night.
I think there is a difference between a deal being agreed to the point of being done and a deal being signed and completed.
Once that has happened, I am led to believe that Sporting have to inform the Lisbon stock exchange. That hasn’t happened yet, so that allows them to say it isn’t done, but I think it will be done.
As Amorim has said, we should know more once his match has been played on Friday evening.
It has all got out because Sporting had to put a statement out to the Lisbon stock exchange to say there had been an approach for their manager and Manchester United have indicated they are going to pay the release clause.
There was no going back from that really – Sporting need to inform the Lisbon stock exchange of anything that affects their club that could have a material impact – and clearly, losing your first-team coach would do that.
I have been sat in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s press conference this afternoon. He has been talking about how he wants to help the club as much as he can and that he is ready to step back into his assistant manager role.
At the moment, Van Nistelrooy will be in charge for the game against Chelsea on Sunday, we assume their Europa League game against PAOK next Thursday, and the game against Leicester City just before the international break.
Then it will be all change.