Amorim aims to ‘prove something’ at Manchester United after deal | Manchester United

Rúben Amorim says he has “something to prove” after agreeing to become Manchester United manager. The Sporting manager will sign a contract until 2027 but will not start work at Old Trafford until the international break in November.

Amorim largely avoided questions about his future at a press conference on Thursday, saying he did not want to destabilize the squad, but stated that the “soap opera” surrounding him would soon end and that everyone would have clarity after Sporting’s match against Estrela da Amadora on Friday.

United pays DKK 10 million. EUR (£8.3m) release fee for the 39-year-old and around a further £1m EUR to shorten his 30-day notice. Amorim will remain with Sporting for their next three games, including the visit of Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, and his first United game is set to be the trip to Ipswich on November 24.

Amorim said he and his assistants, five of whom are expected to come with him, felt the need to take on the challenge despite its risks. “Something is missing, we want to prove something and we have to take a step forward,” he said. “We don’t know if we are destroying what we have. Everyone feels this and coaches go through the same thing.” Asked what he liked about the Premier League, Amorim replied: “Everything.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue as United’s interim manager for three more home games – against Chelsea on Sunday, Paok on Thursday and Leicester on November 10 – before handing over to the Portuguese. He has said he is willing to work under Amorim.

United have moved quickly to sign Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday. The managing director, Omar Berrada, and sporting director, Dan Ashworth, have been in Lisbon to negotiate with the Sporting hierarchy and complete the deal.

“It’s a negotiation between two clubs,” Amorim said. “It’s never easy, even with the clauses it’s never easy – they have to talk. We will have a clarification after the game – that will be very clear. It’s one more day. After the game tomorrow, we will have the decision made.”

Amorim did not want to force an exit as a sign of respect for Sporting, who are ready to promote João Pereira, the B team’s head coach, as his replacement.

Amorim is expected to bring coaches Emanuel Ferro, Adélio Cândido and Carlos Fernandes, goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira to United, but details of their compensation have yet to be determined.

“The situation is very difficult,” Amorim said. “I’m not saying there’s nervousness, but there’s fatigue. When I don’t know what to say, everything becomes more difficult, as it’s much easier when I’m direct. But it’s more fatigue that makes me more nervous in this situation. Everything about the situation makes me very nervous – it’s hard to focus on the games – but the soap opera is coming to an end.”