Ruben Amorim makes promise to Man City in emotional speech after becoming Man Utd boss

Ruben Amorim will lead his Sporting side in a Champions League clash against Manchester City before flying to England to take charge of Manchester United.

This European match will be Amorim's penultimate match in charge of the Portuguese giants, having received a mixed reaction from the crowd during Sporting's 5-1 victory over Estrela da Amadora.

Overall, the crowd inside José Alvalade Stadium was split down the middle. Amorim received a standing ovation for the work he has done since taking office in 2020, but others were furious at the decision to leave.

United paid an extra fee to poach Amorim early, as part of a stipulation in his contract with Sporting to give 30 days' notice before leaving, which has now been lifted as they search for a successor.

In the midst of what Amorim described as a “soap opera,” there still remains a very important task to accomplish. Sporting have two more matches before their manager leaves for Old Trafford, starting at home against Pep Guardiola's side and then traveling to Braga in a bid to extend their perfect record in La Liga Portugal.

Sporting are unbeaten in their first three Champions League matches, winning against Lille and Sturm Graz before drawing against PSV. City, however, present a much tougher test and Amorim will soon get a taste of life against a Premier League opponent.

And although there could be further backlash in the stands when City arrive in Lisbon, Amorim has vowed to take any hostility on the chin.

“In the next home game, whether we win or lose by 15-0, I will be there to see what the fans want to give me,” Amorim said. “I understand their anger, but we are moving forward and time heals everything. Being a sports manager has been the best time of my life.

“But I have to make my decisions and I make them naturally. I understand their pain, but we move forward and time heals everything.”

Amorim was very grateful for the applause he received after coming out of the tunnel, having built such a strong bond with the Sporting fans, a feat he hopes to replicate in Manchester while reversing their current fortunes.

“It wasn't a normal week,” Amorim explained after finally being announced as United's next boss. “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 thing as always, I only thank the fans when we lose, as we won, today I went back to the locker room.