Ruben Amorim reveals why he chose Man United amid criticism and mixed Sporting CP response

Ruben Amorim revealed Manchester United was the only club he wanted to coach after Sporting CP.

In what was a press-conference of mixed emotions for the Portuguese coach, Amorim admitted this season was going to be his last in charge of Sporting - regardless of what happened. He joined the Lions in 2020 and has won five trophies over that time.

United released a statement confirmed he will begin his reign at Old Trafford on November 11, having signed a deal until 2027 with the option for an additional year. The statement came on Friday, the same day when Sporting were due to face Estrela da Amadora in the Liga Portugal.

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This prompted anger from some fans who hanged a banner outside a block of flats with a brutal message which read: "Amorim, this is no longer your home, thank you." However, their Portuguese coach was still received with a great ovation by fans prior to kick-off at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Having spoken to the media after the game, Amorim refused to draw all his attention to answering questions on United, as he remains in charge of Sporting's next two games against Manchester City and Braga.

The Manchester Evening News has taken a look at some of Amorim's comments from the Portuguese media.

'The only other club I wanted'

Amorim said: "I'm on my fifth year at the club - and I had to make a choice. The truth is that I don't want a different club, after Sporting, I wanted that one [United]. And a lot of people speak about the 'context', I want that context because that context allows me to do things my way and the club believes in me in that way.

"It's the same as Sporting. At one stage in my life, I have to take a big step in my career and that's what happened. It's been more difficult for me than any other 'Sportinguista' [Sporting fan] to leave but I've had to do it. I never said anything, I was happy to stay however many games, that's an agreement between the clubs.

"I couldn't have said anything earlier or else I would have done. So Man United became interested and I knew that in seven months, if I rejected it, I wouldn't have it. And in six months, I knew I would be leaving Sporting so I would get to one stage in my career where I would feel regret and I think I would find it difficult to deal with that.

"It was between upsetting Sporting fans, allowing me to take a big step in my career and taking a risk or wait for the end of the season - and not have the only club that I wanted and the only club that moved me. Obviously, there's people saying it was because of money, but I would earn three times more from the last club that wanted to pay my release clause.

"Regardless of what has been said, I've given my all to Sporting and it's difficult to leave. I feel very comfortable and happy here. I love everyone at the club, my staff but I had to make a decision. I stay or go and in six months, I have to live with my own decision, not the fans or the people around the world, it's me.

"So my decision was to leave now because I was told it was now or never so I had to make that step and that was my choice."

'Not an easy situation'

"My smile is always there. But it's a difficult time for everybody. I will leave here feeling more relieved since that announcement came out, it's been difficult for the fans so it surprised me that I received a standing ovation from them.

"I knew that it would make the environment a bit more difficult, but I do feel more relieved that things have now been clarified. My smile is always present but it's not an easy situation in this moment."

Announcement coming on the day of Sporting's game

"It's not the manager that announces things, I just wanted to have the opportunity to explain my version. Clubs nowadays, they have to do things in a way that is completely different - which surpasses us - and that was what happened.

"I'm happy that I've had the opportunity to explain things and in regards to the announcement, it's the clubs that have to do that, so I see it as normal. It just happened to be on the same day that we were playing, and that's not something we can control."

'Negotiations with United were difficult'

President Frederico Varandas who also spoke to the media, said: "It's true that the negotiations with Manchester United were difficult, but they don't justify the marks I have on my face, they're just because I had to remove some moles, and my dermatologist colleague wasn't very nice. Our coach wanted to explain, in person, what happened.

"I can confirm that, at the end of last season and the beginning of this season, he said that he wanted to end the cycle by winning the second consecutive league title and the club was already preparing for the future. Obviously, United's interest was not what we wanted, but the coach's decision was different.

"He understood that it was the time for him to go. We respected and respected that, and we brought forward by seven months what was already being prepared behind the scenes. With all due respect to Ruben's career as a player, many decades from now he will be [mostly] remembered as a coach. And it was Sporting that took a risk, that invested in a young coach with just eight games in the league.

"What will go down in history is Amorim will always have a bit of Sporting in his life - and the history of Sporting will always have Amorim in its story. One of the best coaches in our history. I wish Amorim all the best from November 11 onwards. The colour of the [Man United] shirt won't help, but we are very grateful for everything that Amorim helped to build here and to rebuild this club."