Jason Wilcox has stepped into Dan Ashworth's role at Manchester United as he enters the January transfer window following the club's shock decision to sack their sporting director.
An email sent to staff on Wednesday made it clear that Wilcox, who has been United's technical director since April, will fill Ashworth's shoes for the time being and will be the point of contact for the scouting department on any recruitment matters.
The club's interim director Christopher Vivell is also expected to take on a more prominent role after Ashworth was sacked by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe just five months after taking office.
Mail Sport revealed United will not target a similar replacement for Ashworth – who discussed deals last week – but could make a new director appointment.
Wilcox has led talks with Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno over a deal worth around £3million for 17-year-old left-back Diego Leon. United have stepped up their pursuit amid interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.
Amorim was asked about Ashworth's departure after United landed in the Czech Republic for their Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.
“One person leaving doesn't change anything,” he said. 'Since day one I felt great support from ownership; from Omar (Berrada) and Jason (Wilcox), and I also felt real support from Dan.
'This is football. Sometimes it happens with players and it can happen with coaches. Of course it's a bad situation. We are talking about a person, a professional, who supports us as a team. But I think the most important thing is that the vision is very clear, and the vision doesn't change if someone leaves.”
United are 12th in the Europa League, one spot above Plzen, and Amorim urged his players to finish in the top eight, which would mean avoiding a two-legged play-off.
“For us it's huge,” he added. 'We're facing a team that a lot of people don't know, but who are undefeated at home in Europe.
'It is very important to get to the next stage and because of all that we have to win tomorrow. “If you go to the next stage without a play-off, we will (remove) two games.”
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