Ruud van Nistelrooy has refused to rule out a role at Manchester United under incoming manager Ruben Amorim.
talkSPORT understands the Red Devils have agreed a deal in principle with Sporting for Amorim’s appointment.
The 39-year-old will remain in Portugal for the next three matches, though, including next week’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.
He is then expected to take over at Old Trafford after the international break, with his first match against Ipswich on November 24.
As part of the deal, United will pay €11million (£9.21m) for Amorim and five members of his current backroom team, including long-term assistant Carlos Fernandes.
Meanwhile, club legend Van Nistelrooy will remain in interim charge of United against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester before the new boss’ arrival.
He inspired a thrilling 5-2 victory over Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, which saw previously goal-shy United hit four in the first-half.
The Dutchman’s future at the club beyond the next trio of games looks bleak, though, given Amorim is set to overhaul the coaching staff.
But Van Nistelrooy, who was assistant to sacked manager Erik ten Hag, insists he is available if Amorim needs him.
Asked about his future following Wednesday’s win over Leicester, Van Nistelrooy told talkSPORT: “The club said it will be short term, that was very clear.
“As long as possible, I will do this job and get the team going and give everything that I have in me.
“After that, we have to see. But I have to say, I came here as an assistant, this role again I will carry out as long as it’s needed.
“And after that in any capacity I’m willing to support this club and build and make it better in any way possible.”
Ex-striker Van Nistelrooy admitted Ten Hag’s departure was a ‘sad day’ but insists he is fully focused on the job at hand.
He said: “To go back to yesterday and of course receiving the players and getting together the first day after Eric had to leave, it was a sad day.
“And, you know, he was the one that asked me to work here again. And in the first conversation we had, I felt such a passion and care for this football club. And that’s where we start to connect because we had the same there.
“And that’s why I was so sad to see him go. First of all, having said that, then football continues, life continues.
“We all knew there were 75,000 waiting for us today and millions at home who were supporting us behind their screens, TV screens and radios. And you have to switch them as players.
“That’s what I tried to do today and with all the coaching staff to to switch that button and to get the mindset going like, hey, we’re going to go out and give everything for the fans. And that’s what they did today.”
