Ruben Amorim declares that Man United is ‘my place’ as new Old Trafford boss explains ‘actually arduous’ resolution to go away Sporting Lisbon in interview with Gary Neville

New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorin has explained why he simply couldn’t turn down the opportunity to manage the club.

Amorim took charge at Old Trafford during the international break after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal, replacing Erik ten Hag and taking the reins from interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy. 

The Portuguese has been in Manchester this week as he adapts to his new job as head coach of the Red Devils following his departure from Sporting Lisbon in his homeland.

Amorin, widely regarded as one of Europe’s top coaches, took charge of his first training session on Monday.

The 39-year-old received some criticism in Portugal for ‘abandoning’ Sporting during the season and he has spoken about the decision in an interview with United legend Gary Neville on Sky Sports.

‘It was really hard but I had to do it,’ Amorin told Neville. ‘I already had conversations with clubs so was quite normal but what I felt at the time, I felt that this is my place.’

Ruben Amorin has explained his decision to leave Sporting Lisbon and join Man United

Amorin sat down with United legend Gary Neville at the end of his first week of training

The comment drew a smile from Neville, who spent his entire playing career at United.

‘I think it was the right club in the right moment for me, Amorin continued. ‘I felt that this is my place. I think it was the right club in the right moment for me.   

‘It was very tough to leave Sporting. Because in the middle of the season, you can say everything, it’s Manchester United. It’s everything, it’s the moment, it’s the club that I want. 

‘But you are leaving your guys in middle of the season. It was really hard but I had to do it and I was so happy, of course. 

‘You can see it in every interaction that I have but I also felt in the first moment it was a little bit overwhelming. But after five minutes you start thinking about the club, the team, the players, how to play…. so it was quite fun.’

Amorim has arrived as ‘head coach’, the first in United’s history, and it is part of an overhaul to the structure led by CEO Omar Berrada, director of football Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

While he will, over time, have the chance to bring his own players in, internally the feeling at United is that there are players at the club that can produce far more than they have shown so far. 

Amorin led Sporting to two domestic titles since taking charge in 2020 and left the club in the midst of what was on course to be another successful campaign. 

Amorim was confirmed as the man to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford back on November 1

The 39-year-old took charge of his first training session as United manager on Monday

Sporting sit six points clear at the top of the Portuguese top flight and second in the 36-team Champions League table.

Amorin will begin his tenure with a trip to Ipswich, who will have newfound confidence after their shock 2-1 win at Tottenham last time out. 

United will start the weekend 13th in the Premier League table with just 15 points from their first 11 fixtures this season.

After taking on Ipswich, the Red Devils will host Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League four days later.

United have taken six points from a possible 12 in Europe so far this term, having drawn against Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce, before beating PAOK Salonika.