‘I asked for it’: What Ruben Amorim wanted from Man Utd after contact was made this week | OneFootball

Manchester United take on Chelsea in Sunday’s much-awaited Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to remain under interim charge of the club, but the Red Devils have already confirmed a permanent successor to Erik ten Hag.

A formal announcement was made over Ruben Amorim’s arrival yesterday and he is expected to take control of United as soon as the international break begins.

Speaking after Sporting CP’s 5-1 win over Estrela, Amorim revealed that he initially wanted to leave the club at the end of the season, but United refused to accept.

The Portuguese tactician added that he had three days to make a decision and eventually agreed to the proposal or he could have missed out on his dream job.

He said: “Then this situation with Manchester United came up. They paid the clause, they paid above the clause, and the chairman defended their interests.

“Then the negotiations came to me. I asked for it to be at the end of the season, I spent three days asking for it, and they told me it was impossible. That it was now or never.

“I had three days to make a decision that would radically change my life. That’s what I did.

“I knew that if I rejected it I wouldn’t have it in six months. And I knew that in six months I wouldn’t be at Sporting. The only club I want [were United] and that moved me.”

United ideally wanted Amorim in the dug-out for the Chelsea game, but it was unlikely to happen with Sporting CP having a 30-day notice period in his contract.

The Portuguese champions agreed to release him early with a compensation fee, but Amorim will have to wait until November 11 to take control of the Red Devils.

It could be a blessing in disguise for him. The 39-year-old has the chance to work extensively with some of the players ahead of the trip to Ipswich Town on November 24.

For the time being, Amorim has the opportunity to analyse the players and he could be in the stands watching the upcoming league game against the Blues.

United are seven points behind the guaranteed Champions League places and Sunday’s match is a must-win to avoid losing further ground at such an early stage.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com