Ruben Amorim has become a contentious figure at Manchester United, but the picture was completely different at his former side Sporting Lisbon
Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Ruben Amorim talks to media during the post match press conference after the match bewteen Manchester United and Hong Kong at Hong Kong Stadium on May 30, 2025 in Hong Kong, China
Ruben Amorim has had a difficult start to life at Manchester United
(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
Sporting Lisbon players went from celebrating a vital victory to bursting into tears when Ruben Amorim told them he would be leaving to join Manchester United. Amorim, 40, was appointed as manager of the Red Devils at the start of November, but did not officially start at Old Trafford until 11 days later.
He left a squad who were on their way to their third Primeira Liga title in five seasons and looked set to finish in the top eight of the Champions League division phase. He also said goodbye to a group of players who loved him as a manager and mentor.
This was confirmed by their emotional reaction when he told them he was going to Old Trafford. Sporting star Geny Catamo revealed a huge number of players burst into tears when Amorim informed them of his decision.
In an interview with Bar Da Liga, the Mozambique international said: "A week before, we were informed Manchester United was interested in our manager. Ruben Amorim only told us that everything was fine and not to worry, we just had to focus on our game in Braga.
"It was an epic match; losing 2-0 and turning it around to 4-2 in the second half. It was the best football we played all season.
"We were all celebrating in the locker room when he came in and announced he was indeed going to Manchester United. We were sad and cried. Most players cried. I believe I was one of those who cried the most that day."
United forked out £11million to release Amorim from his contract at Sporting. When the news was announced, he remained with the Portuguese side to oversee clashes against Estrela, Manchester City in the Champions League and Braga.
Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim is celebrated by his players at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 4 football match between Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on November 5, 2024. Ruben Amorim was on November 1, 2024, named as the new manager of Manchester United. The 39-year-old Portuguese coach, who won two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting Lisbon, has signed a deal until 2027 and will join the club on November 11.
Ruben Amorim received an emotional send off when he left Sporting Lisbon to join Manchester United
He would go on to mastermind convincing victories in all three matches, that ended 5-1, 4-1 and 4-2 in Sporting's favour. However, while the Sporting stars were devastated to see him leave, Amorim has not formed the same bond with his United players.
In fact, the mood at Old Trafford has been the complete opposite, as United have not improved under his stewardship so far. After taking over from Erik ten Hag, Amorim was only able to guide United to 15th, their lowest position in Premier League history.
Their loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final also meant United failed to qualify for European football for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign. While Sporting players were heartbroken when Amorim left, the current crop of United players do not have that same affection for the Portuguese boss, yet.
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain
Ruben Amorim's first seven months at Manchester United were difficult(Image: 2025 UEFA)
One of Amorim's first major decisions at Old Trafford was to banish academy graduate Marcus Rashford, by leaving him out of the squad on several occasions before sending him on loan to Aston Villa in the January transfer window. In February, the Mail claimed several United players discussed whether Amorim should change his tactics, with the Portuguese boss insisting on using the same 3-4-3 formation he used at Sporting, for better or for worse.
Moreover, Alejandro Garnacho also looks set to meet the same fate as Rashford. The Argentine winger publicly criticised Amorim after he was left out of the starting eleven for the Europa League final.
Not long after reportedly being told to find a new club by the United boss, Garnacho was recently pictured wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Rashford's name on the back. He has since been linked with moves to Chelsea and Napoli.
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