Amorim explains why he decided to join Man United as he’s confirmed as Red Devils boss – having chosen to leave Sporting Lisbon after four-and-a-half years in charge

Ruben Amorim has explained why he decided to join Manchester United after he was officially confirmed as the new Red Devils boss.

He was announced as the new man in the Old Trafford dugout at midday on a two-and-a-half-year deal, which the club can extend for a further 12 months, should they wish to do so.

The 39-year-old will take charge officially during the international break, with his first game set to be against Ipswich on November 24 after he serves his notice period with Sporting Lisbon.

He has been reasonable coy when speaking to the media in the build-up to the announcement, and is expected to speak for the first time since his appointment this evening.

One thing he wasn’t coy on, however, was his reasons for joining United, as he prepares to leave Sporting after four-and-a-half years at the club.

Amorim will leave Sporting Lisbon after nearly four-and-a-half years in charge of the club

He will now take charge at Old Trafford to try and improve United’s fortunes after their poor start to the season

‘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 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 won two league titles while at Sporting – last season and the club’s first in 19 years.

He is one of the most highly-rated young coaches in world football and will now take his talents to England to work in Manchester.

He will get a taste of his new derby first-hand next week, with Sporting hosting Manchester City in the Champions League.

Sporting revealed in their statement announcing his departure that United had paid around £10.7million to take Amorim from them, including £1.4m to cut his notice period short.

It had been reported that Amorim would have to see out a whole month’s worth of his notice period, meaning he would likely not have been able to take charge until December. 

He is thought to already know who he wants his first signing to be when he officially takes charge

Amorim, meanwhile, is thought to already know who he wants his first signing to be at Old Trafford.

It is unlikely he will have too much of a say in transfers having been appointed head coach rather than manager, but is thought to be keen to take Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande with him to Manchester.

He is thought to be keen to implement his back-three system that has served him so well in Portugal and Diomande would help with the depth available at his disposal.