Ruben Amorim was a busy man on Friday.
Shortly before noon, Manchester United issued a club statement confirming that the 39-year-old’s move to Old Trafford was a done deal.
The statement announced that Amorim would start work as United’s new manager on November 11 once he had ‘fulfilled his obligations to his current club’.
One of those obligations was Sporting’s Portuguese Liga home game against Estrela Amadora on Friday night.
Ahead of kick-off in that game, almost 50,000 Sporting supporters inside the Jose Alvalade Stadium made their feelings towards their current – but soon to be former – manager very clear.
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim pictured ahead of Friday’s game against Estrela
Friday’s match kicked off just over eight hours after it had been confirmed that Amorim would be starting work as Manchester United’s new manager later this month
Amorim looked a little emotional ahead of the game, which was played in front of 50,000 fans
Amorim was widely greeted with emphatic applause as he took his place in the home dugout for the penultimate time – his last home game will be on Tuesday night against Man City in the Champions League.
Videos taken by members of the crowd captured the outpouring of support and gratitude shown to Amorim, who had been cheered when he arrived at the stadium too.
Sporting fans then belted out a passionate rendition of their club anthem, ‘O Mundo Sabe Que’, which they sing to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’.
Amorim responded to his positive reception by blowing kisses to the crowd and applauding them back.
He was also seen hugging several players, including former United and Sporting winger Nani, who had been named among the Estrela substitutes on Friday.
Amorim was cheered and applauded by the overwhelming majority of Sporting supporters
The 39-year-old responded by blowing kisses towards the crowd at the Jose Alvalade Stadium
Amorim was pictured hugging former Sporting and United star Nani, who now plays for Estrela
Earlier on Friday, Amorim explained his decision to take the United job.
‘I think that in everyone’s life, in yours too, there are phases in which we’re doing very well in life, but then we want something more, maybe to prove something more’, he said shortly before the official announcement was made.
‘We have to take a step forward in things that destabilise us, that we don’t know if it’s going to work or not.
‘I think everyone feels that. You in your life and the managers go through the same thing.’
Amorim has been in charge of Sporting since March 2020.
He has delivered five trophies, including two league titles, while his side currently top the Primeira Liga table this season after taking 27 points from their first nine games prior to Friday.
Amorim’s move to United was confirmed by the Premier League club four days after his predecessor had been sacked.
Erik ten Hag’s two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford ended on Monday, less than 24 hours after his side had lost 2-1 at West Ham.
That result left the Red Devils 14th in the Premier League table.
United – who finished eighth in the league last season – installed Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager on Monday and he then delivered a 5-2 win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup two days later.
Amorim has won five trophies with Sporting since his first game with the club back in 2020
Man United sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday, less than 24 hours after losing 2-1 at West Ham
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw United’s 5-2 win over Leicester on Wednesday
Van Nistelrooy will also oversee United’s next three games – against Chelsea, PAOK Salonika and Leicester again – before standing aside when Amorim arrives at the start of November’s international break.
Amorim’s first match as United boss will be an away trip to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on November 24.
His first home game will come in the Europa League four days later when FK Bodo/Glimt visit Old Trafford.
