Man Utd chief narrowly avoided awkward airport run-in with Erik ten Hag after brutal axe

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada had a lucky escape at the airport after sacking on Monday.

in the wake of on Sunday afternoon. Ten Hag was in the summer after winning the , but ran out of road after overseeing a dreadful start to the season which left United in 14th place with just 11 points from their opening nine matches.

The club felt they had no option but to pay off Ten Hag and his staff and put in interim control. They knew their next step, to sound out Sporting boss .

Berrada was one of the figures who led the talks in the Portuguese capital and thankfully he was spared a second meeting with Ten Hag on the way. reports that the United chief executive headed to the same airport as Ten Hag on Monday afternoon, but didn’t run into the man he’d just sacked.

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After being sacked, Ten Hag quickly boarded a private jet bound for the Netherlands, where he returned to his home town to digest the news. Berrada, meanwhile, was ultimately successful in his mission, agreeing a deal to hire Amorim on a contract until June 2027 as Ten Hag’s replacement.

Although they had from his Sporting contract and will have to shell out more for his coaching staff, United are happy with their work. They think they’ve landed the most exciting young coach in Europe and are convinced he will fit into the new INEOS-led structure as head coach.

that he had initially wanted to stay with Sporting until the end of the season before joining United. But the club gave him an ultimatum – now or never – and he decided to drag himself away from the club he had successfully guided to two league titles over the past four years.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Have Manchester United made the right decision? .

“United came along, paid the clause, above the clause, and the chairman defended his interests,” Amorim said. “I never discussed anything with the chairman. The only request I made was that it would be at the end of the season and they told me that wasn't possible, that it was now or never. I had three days to decide on something that would completely change my life.”

, releasing a statement to thank the United fans, his players and staff. "I want to thank you for giving me this feeling and for your support,” he said. “I also want to thank the staff in every department of the club for their unwavering support in good times and bad.

"We won two trophies - achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Of course, my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end. I wish all fans nothing but success, trophies and glory.”

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