Leicester City will be hoping that the recent upheaval at Manchester United provides them with a significant advantage when they visit Old Trafford for their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie this evening (kick-off at 7:45 pm).

Normally, even a struggling United side would be tipped as favourites to overcome the Foxes and advance to the quarter-finals of a competition that was the first silverware won by Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed on Monday following United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left them 14th in the Premier League.

Initially, it appeared that a new manager would be swiftly appointed at Old Trafford, but that certainty has waned after Sporting Lisbon's head coach Ruben Amorim, the club’s leading candidate, stated that his future remains undecided.

United have identified Amorim as their primary choice to succeed Ten Hag and have indicated their willingness to meet the £8.3 million termination clause in his contract.

However, following Sporting’s Portuguese League Cup victory over Nacional on Tuesday evening, Amorim told reporters, “Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s my farewell game or not.”

In his post-match press conference, Amorim added, “We need to wait a little longer for me to clarify everything. It’s my decision, and I will explain everything, but we must wait. That’s all there is to it.”

When questioned about whether he would be in the dugout at Old Trafford for Sunday’s match against Chelsea, Amorim initially replied, “I will be here.” Pressed further, he admitted, “I don’t know.”

In a statement to Portugal’s financial regulator, the CMVM, earlier on Tuesday, Sporting informed investors of United’s approach and signalled an expectation that an agreement might soon be finalised.

“Manchester United FC has expressed an interest in securing the services of coach Ruben Amorim, with the board of directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract currently in force between the club and the coach, specifically the termination clause amounting to €10,000,000,” the statement read.

“Manchester United FC has expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount stipulated in the termination clause.”

Sporting’s 3-1 victory over Nacional in the Taca da Liga was widely expected to be Amorim’s final match in charge.

Amorim, who has led Sporting to two Portuguese league titles and two League Cups since joining the club in March 2020, has also recently been mentioned as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, due to his connections with Manchester City’s incoming director of football, Hugo Viana. However, the Premier League champions have downplayed such rumours as speculation.

United’s contentious 2-1 defeat at West Ham, in which Jarrod Bowen’s disputed late penalty proved decisive, was the final blow for Ten Hag. Speculation over the Dutchman’s future had intensified in recent weeks, particularly after he retained his position at the end of last season.

A club statement issued shortly before noon on Monday read: “Erik ten Hag has left his position as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.”

“We extend our gratitude to Erik for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named interim manager ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Leicester.