Richard Keys slams 'classless' Man Utd over Ruben Amorim approach as £80m demand made

Richard Keys has criticised Manchester United over their approach of Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim.

United are ready to pay Amorim's £8.3 million release clause at Sporting, having identified the Portuguese boss as their number one choice to replace Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag was sacked on Monday after over two years in charge, with United quickly deciding on his replacement.

Amorim remains in charge of Sporting and was in the dugout for their 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday evening.

After the match, he confirmed that there was interest from United, but added: "When I have something more concrete, I will tell you, because it is always my choice.

"When everything hasn't been decided, one way or the other, there's no point in talking much more ... I don't have anything useful to say."

Now, beIN Sports broadcaster Keys - a heavy critic of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS regime at United - has slammed the club over their 'classless' approach of Amorim.

He also demanded that United pay £80 million to sign Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who the club have been linked with making a move for in recent transfer windows.

Taking to Twitter, Keys explained: "What is it about classless United?

"They admit they met Amorim in the last international break. Did Sporting know?

"And they want him to break his notice period. Would they be happy if an employee of theirs did? Pay the compensation. Do it properly.

"And find £80 million for Gyokeres. He's sensational."

Twitter/@richardajkeys

Writing on his blog, meanwhile, Keys was scathing of United and 'Sunny Jim' - his 'nickname' for minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe - for their decision to keep Ten Hag over the summer and their spending.

He said: "Ratcliffe's bungling last summer was of monumental proportions. As if United didn't have enough bad players at the club he somehow sanctioned the purchase of De Ligt. What does Zirkzee do? If Ugarte was a player he would never have been allowed to leave Paris. Even Ten Hag wouldn't play him.

"United are a mess and Ratcliffe and his brains trust have done nothing to suggest they know how to fix it.

"How did United end up buying so many duds? The list is almost endless. Of course they're not all down to Ratcliffe and co, but they only made things worse in the summer.

"I wait with bated breath the next act from beneath Ratcliffe's big top circus tent."