Jorge Mendes, who engineered the Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte deals to United, was the intermediary on Quenda, alongside agent Igor Campedelli. To this end, United sources, kept anonymous to protect relationships, have said they are relaxed over the turn of events.

There was an expectation that Sporting CP's Geovany Quenda would be next through the door at the Theatre of Dreams. It was Amorim who entrusted the 17-year-old to make the step up from youth to senior level,