Ruben Amorim has been “incredible” for Sporting and should be “proud” of his move to Manchester United, Lions captain Morten Hjulmand has said before his side take on Manchester City on Tuesday (8pm GMT).
Denmark midfielder Hjulmand answered questions next to Amorim a day before the Portuguese leaders face the reigning English champions in the former Portugal international’s final European game at his current club.
“It was difficult for me to hear that you are leaving Sporting and me,” Hjulmand told Amorim, via Abola, three days after his succession of the sacked Erik ten Hag as United manager was confirmed.
“But opportunities like these happen to coaches and players. It is part of football; what I hope is that you are proud of yourself for having had an offer like this.
“I see it as a positive challenge to become champions without Ruben, which is the main objective of this season. Life goes on and we want to show that we no longer need him.”
“I think Man United are in good hands with Ruben” 🗣️
Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand praises Ruben Amorim ahead of his move to Man United as head coach 🔴 pic.twitter.com/HkNFiMCjz7
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 4, 2024
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Sporting ‘have to be champions’
When it was suggested that he might feel let down by Amorim, Hjulmand said there were “no guarantees” in football and admitted that he could not predict how Sporting would fare without the 39-year-old.
Amorim, who will join United on November 11, has won the Primeira Liga and League Cup twice since joining Sporting in 2020 from Braga, where he triumphed in the latter competition once.
“We have played three games and we didn’t have any breaks,” Hjulmand said of the experience for his squad during the negotiations that led to Amorim’s agreement to head to Old Trafford with his backroom team.
“It’s been difficult to read about what happened and talk to him about the whole process. Even though we had to win [our most recent games] against Nacional and Estrela, it wasn’t easy.
“But we’ll have a good [replacement] coach… we’re in control of the situation and we have to remember that we have to be champions.
In 1986 Man United had just 12 points after 10 league games and decided to hire Alex Ferguson who had only managed in Scotland.
In 2024 Man United have just 12 points after 10 league games and have hired Reuben Amorim who has only managed in Portugal. pic.twitter.com/w98V3hCueD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 4, 2024
“I feel very comfortable with my teammates. I’m very happy at the moment. I was sad to hear that he was leaving. Many players were sad like me, because we had a good relationship with him and the staff.
“He did an incredible job with the team and with me but we know that when an opportunity like this comes along… it’s not easy to say no.”
Reserve team manager and former Portugal right-back Joao Pereira has reportedly been lined up to replace Amorim.
#SCPMCI loading… ⏳ pic.twitter.com/eTMKxZFrQW
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) November 4, 2024
Sporting vs Manchester City
Sporting and City both have seven points in their European league phase, while the hosts are top of their domestic league after winning all 10 of their opening matches.
City are two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday but are warm favourites to end their two-match losing run with victory at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
“There are others with the same ability,” Hjulmand replied when he was asked if he shared Amorim’s view that City are the world’s best team. “It will be fun but we know it will be difficult.
“We always want to win. We have seven points and tomorrow we want to have 10. After the game, we will see if a point would be good.”
