Ruben Amorim's private message to pals over Man Utd job already rings alarm bells

Ruben Amorim confided in friends as he opted to leave Sporting CP for Manchester United, who have handed the Portuguese coach an initial two-and-a-half-year deal

Ruben Amorim is reportedly feeling the strain already – even before taking the helm at Manchester United.

The Portuguese coach has penned a deal until June 2027, with the option of an additional year. He is due to start his tenure at Old Trafford on Monday, November 11 after wrapping up Sporting CP's upcoming fixtures, which include a tasty Champions League encounter with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Amorim, who had initially intended to remain with Sporting until the season's end, faced a 'now or never' ultimatum from United. With just three days to decide, Amorim chose to embrace the task of reviving the struggling Red Devils.

Amid intense speculation, and before United's confirmation, Amorim admitted to friends that he had been left him 'exhausted', according to The Athletic. Colleagues also reportedly noted he seemed out of sorts, showing already he may not be fully prepared for the pressures of the job that will have him very much in the spotlight.

In his first press interaction since the announcement, following Friday's thumping 5-1 victory against Estrela da Amadora, Amorim opened up about the situation: "The season started, we know that we started very well and then this situation with Manchester United came.

"Manchester United appear, they pay above the compensation clause and the president defends the club's interests. I never discussed anything with the president about this bargaining.

"The only request I made was for it to be at the end of the season and I was told that it wasn't possible. It was now or never, or Manchester would go for another option.

"So, I had three days to make my mind up, to make a decision that changes radically my life. But I had three days to make this decision and that's what I did."

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Discussing interest from other clubs, including Liverpool, Amorim spoke about rejecting multiple offers: "I've had other opportunities the president and [director of football] Hugo Viana can confirm this.

"It's not the first or the second time that I have been requested by another team and I don't want another team. After Sporting I wanted that one, Manchester, and I want that context because that context allows me to do things my way and the club believes me that way. It's just like Sporting.

"There's a time when I have to take a step forward in my career. That's what happened. It was harder for me than to any Sporting fan, believe me, but I had to do this."

Shutting down rumours of financial motivation, he intriguingly revealed: "I go home more happier because I have explained. People say 'it's about the money', but there was another team that wanted to hire me before and they paid three times more than Manchester."

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