Ruben Amorim discloses that Manchester United rejected his request to join the team at the conclusion of the season.

Ruben Amorim has expressed his understanding of the anger felt by Sporting Lisbon fans following his announcement as the new Manchester United manager. The Portuguese tactician revealed that the opportunity was one he felt he could not pass up, stating it was “now or never.”

Sporting Lisbon continued their impressive form in Liga Portugal on Friday night, with a resounding 5-1 victory over Estrela Amadora. Prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres stole the show, netting four goals, while Maximiliano Araujo added a fifth to secure the win. This victory means that Amorim’s side has won all ten of their league matches so far this season, placing them six points clear at the top of the table, albeit having played one game more than second-placed Porto.

In the aftermath of the match, Amorim turned his attention to his final home game with Sporting, which will see them face Manchester City in the Champions League. He acknowledged the possibility of fans expressing their displeasure towards him, saying, “In the next home game, whether we win or lose by 15-0, I’ll be there to see what the fans want to give me.”

He continued, “I understand their anger, but we move on and time heals everything. It was the best period of my life.” Amorim elaborated on his decision to leave, revealing that he had informed the club president at the start of the season that it would be his last at Sporting. When Manchester United came calling and activated his release clause, he felt compelled to make a choice.

“I asked United if it could be at the end of the season. It was what I wanted. United said no. It was now or never. So I had to make a decision,” he explained. “There is no Sporting fan who wanted me to stay until the end of the season more than I did. But it wasn’t possible. Some people say it’s for money. It’s not. Other clubs were prepared to pay three times more and I refused. This is the club I wanted.”

Amorim also confirmed that he would be taking his coaching staff with him to Old Trafford, which was one of his conditions for the move.

As speculation swirls around the future of Gyokeres amid reported Premier League interest, Amorim was quick to quash any thoughts of a January transfer. “I’m not going to come for any Sporting player in January,” he stated. “These years at Sporting have been the best years of my life. Everyone knows how much I loved it here. But it’s not my farewell yet!”

Before kick-off, the 39-year-old received a heartfelt standing ovation from the Sporting fans at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The supporters then sang their club anthem, ‘O Mundo Sabe Que’, to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’, to which Amorim responded with applause and kisses to the crowd.

On the pitch, Gyokeres was the standout performer, scoring four goals to bring his tally to 16 goals and an assist in just ten league games this season. His first goal came in the 19th minute, capitalising on a loose deflection inside the box before curling a shot past Estrela Amadora goalkeeper Bruno. He followed this with a powerful right-footed strike into the roof of the net and completed his hat-trick with a well-taken penalty just before half-time.

When asked post-match if he would be joining Amorim at Old Trafford, Gyokeres replied, “I don’t know. I’m here, and as you can see, I enjoy it.” He added, “I’m sad that Amorim is leaving; he’s done amazing here. We will do the same job and keep the same faith in the team. We all wish him the best.”

As Amorim prepares for his new chapter in Manchester, the Sporting fans will undoubtedly remember his contributions fondly, while the club continues to thrive under his leadership in the present.