Rubén Amorim's assistant, 29, is compared to José Mourinho and is “better” than the incoming Manchester United manager.

Ruben Amorim was incredibly full of praise for his assistant Carlos Fernandes ahead of his move to Manchester United.

amorim is destined to become the new manager at Old Trafford after the Premier League giants reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon.

United will pay the Portuguese manager's €10m (£8.3m) release clause to appoint him as Erik ten Hag's replacement.

talkSPORT understands deals have also been agreed for Amorim's assistants Carlos Fernandes and Adelio Candido.

And it is Fernandes who received praise from the incoming United manager ahead of the biggest move of his career.

Speaking in 2022 via commentator Patrick KendrickAmorim praised his colleague and compared him to Jose Mourinho.

“My number two is Carlos Fernandes, he has been my right-hand man from day one. He will be a much better coach than me.

“I often say that if I become Bobby Robson, he will be my José Mourinho! But there is plenty of time, we have signed a 15-year contract!”

Fernandes will no doubt be happy to be compared to Mourinho, one of the greatest football managers of all time.

The Portuguese icon, a former United manager, has won two Champions Leagues, three Premier Leagues, two Serie A and LaLiga titles, among other honours.

Amorim completed a coaching internship under Mourinho in 2018, but believes Fernandes could be the one to emulate his success.

Fernandes, who is just 29, was first assistant coach of Benfica's youth team before becoming their coach in 2017 for one year.

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He then became Amorim's assistant at Casa Pia in the Portugal League before moving to Braga's B team and then the senior team.

The duo won the Taca da Liga with Braga in the 2019/20 campaign before moving to Sporting later that season.

Since then, they have claimed two Portuguese League titles and two Taca da Liga victories, and the partnership has certainly been a success.

Amorim and Fernandes are now ready to bring their experience to United, which is in stark contrast to Sporting, who sit in first place this season.

They sit 14th in the Premier League having won just three of their first nine games, with defeats in four of them.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is their current interim manager and will take charge of the Carabao Cup clash against Leicester on Thursday. live on talkSPORT 2and the Dutchman could also be in charge of the team for the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

United will likely have to wait for Amorim's first game on the bench, as talkSPORT understands he will be in charge of Sporting's game against Estrela da Amadora on Friday.

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