New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has said it “wasn’t a normal week” and thanked Sporting fans for the reception he received at his penultimate home game in charge of the Portuguese club.
The 39-year-old oversaw a 5-1 win over Estrela Amadora in the Primeira Liga on Friday, extending Sporting’s perfect league start to 10 wins hours after United had confirmed he will succeed Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.
“I’m very grateful to all the fans, to everyone here,” said Amorim, explaining to Sport TV, via Abola, that he had returned down the tunnel immediately after full time because “I only thank the fans when we lose”.
“It was the best period of my life but I have to make my decisions and I take them naturally. It wasn’t a normal week. Of course, I felt different.”
LADO A LADO 👊 #SCPCFEA pic.twitter.com/tQ9CsErRMI
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) November 1, 2024
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Amorim joins United
The two-time Portuguese champion received a more mixed response when Sporting beat Nacional at home in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday night.
By that point, Sporting had confirmed that United were willing to pay Amorim’s £8.3 million release fee, although the Portuguese suggested he had not made a decision over his future.
Reports have suggested that the 20-time Premier League champions have now paid an extra sum in order to secure Amorim from November 11.
Sporting host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday and visit Amorim’s former club, Braga, the following Sunday.
Amorim on his move:
“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 3 times more and I refused. This is the club (United) I wanted.”— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) November 1, 2024
Amorim: ‘I’ll say goodbye’
“I understand the anger and disappointment of some fans but that’s life,” said Amorim, adding that the timing of the statements about his positions on matchdays was because of Sporting’s obligations as a company.
“I was moved by today’s ovation. In the next game here, whether we win or lose 15-0, I’ll say goodbye to the fans. I understand their pain but we move on and time heals everything.”
Viktor Gyokeres took his tally to 16 goals in 12 league appearances this season by scoring four times in 52 minutes against Estrela Amadora.
The former Coventry City and Brighton & Hove Albion striker was last season’s Primeira Liga top scorer and Player of the Year.
