Paul Scholes predicts where Man United can finish under Ruben Amorim - as Red Devils push to finalise deal for Sporting boss after nightmare start

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has offered his prediction of what Ruben Amorim can realistically achieve if he takes over as manager.

Sporting Lisbon confirmed in a statement to the market on Tuesday afternoon that they had been approached by the Premier League giants, who want to replace sacked Erik ten Hag with their highly-rated young coach.

The note added that that United had 'expressed an interest' in paying the 39-year-old's release clause.

Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that Amorim has a notice period of 'a number of weeks rather than days'.

Should Man United be able to push through a deal to secure Amorim ahead of Sunday's match with Chelsea , the 39-year-old would take charge of a team languishing 14th in the Premier League table.

The Red Devils are currently seven points adrift of fourth placed Aston Villa and the automatic qualification spots for Champions League .

With only nine matches gone in the Premier League season, Amorim would have time to help Man United close the gap.

However, Man United legend Scholes has suggested a top four finish looks unrealistic for Amorim to achieve given the club's current malaise.

'At the very best, Manchester United could finish 4th in the league,' said Scholes, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet .

'It's very hard to see that happening at this point, you'd probably say 6th [is more realistic].'

In addition to the Premier League, Man United could target Champions League qualification by winning the Europa League.

The Red Devils have drawn their opening three matches in the competition to lie 21st in the Europa League standings.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the club's Carabao Cup match against Leicester City on Wednesday night.

Should an agreement not be reached on an earlier termination of Amorim's contract at Sporting, he will not be in the dugout when United take on Chelsea on Sunday.

There is a prospect that Amorim, who has won two league titles in Portugal, could not take charge until United head to Ipswich Town on November 24th.

After facing Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, Man United face Leicester again on November 10.

Following that match, there is a two-week international break before the trip to Portman Road in a televised Sunday 4.30pm kick-off.