“I understand the anger and disappointment” - Ruben Amorim sends message to Sporting CP fans ahead of Manchester United switch

Newly appointed Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has sent a message to Sporting CP fans, ahead of his move to Old Trafford. He is expected to join the Mancunian giants in due course, with the Red Devils announcing his hiring less than a week after Erik ten Hag was sacked.

However, he is not expected to leave Sporting CP immediately, as his Manchester United tenure will officially begin on November 11. This means Amorim will have a few more games to manage in Portugal before his switch to England. His first match after the announcement went well - a 5-1 Liga win over Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 1.

However, before the match, an unfurled banner hung on apartment flats near the stadium said:

"Amorim, this is no longer your home, thank you."

This prompted a message from Ruben Amorim to Sporting CP fans, with the Manchester United-bound coach explaining (via Mirror):

"It wasn't a normal week. Of course I felt different this week. I understand the anger and disappointment of some fans, but that's life. I was moved by today's ovation. I'm already in task mode, I'm very grateful to all the fans, to everyone here.

"Today I did the same as always. I only thank the fans when we lose, as we won, today I went back to the dressing room. Of course in the next game here at home, whether we win or lose 0-15, then I'll say goodbye to the fans."

Calling his Sporting CP stint the "best period" of his life, he added:

"It was the best period of my life, but I have to make my decisions and I take them naturally. I understand their pain, but we move on and time heals everything."

Amorim also spoke about his players at the Portuguese club, adding:

"I know my players and I am honest with you when I say that they were not normal. I could see that they were nervous about the news, with a series of difficult games coming up. There was no revolt and I did not need [captain] Morten [Hjulmand] to hold his team-mates back.”

Indeed, Sporting CP have a number of important games on the horizon, especially on the continent. In their next UEFA Champions League clash, they will invite Manchester City to the Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5.

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A look at the career of Manchester United's new head coach Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim had a fairly eventful career that saw him spend most of his footballing years in Portugal. He played a total of 309 club games, notably breaking into the Portugal national team in 2010 and making 14 appearances.

At Benfica, where he played 153 games in all competitions, he won 10 trophies, while coming runners-up in the Europa League. As a manager, he has won five trophies with Sporting CP, and he will be looking to impress at Manchester United.

Some members of the coaching staff at Sporting CP are expected to join Amorim on the move to Old Trafford. It is currently uncertain which coaches could be replaced at United.