Ruben Amorim Handed Challenge Of Restoring Glory Days To Manchester United

Ruben Amorim revealed Friday that he was told by Manchester United "it was now or never" after being handed a brief midway through the season to restore the struggling Premier League giants to the pinnacle of English and European football. The 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon coach quickly emerged as the hot favourite for the Old Trafford job after Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday following a terrible start to the season. Amorim has signed a deal until 2027 and will join the club on November 11, becoming the sixth permanent manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Amorim admitted in his first news conference since being given the job that he had endured a whirlwind few days.

"The only question I made was to go at the end of the season," Amorim said.

"But I was told it was now or never. I had three days to make the decision. That's what I did.

"If I rejected it now, in six months I would not have got it. I didn't want to regret making this decision."

Amorim added that he had been approached by other clubs, one of which had offered him "three times" the windfall he would enjoy at United.

United described Amorim as "one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football".

"Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP -- the first of which was the club's first title in 19 years," a club statement said.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in temporary charge until Amorim arrives at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese coach will oversee Sporting's remaining matches before the international break, which started with a 5-1 rout of Estrela on Friday, the club's 10th win in 10 league games this season.

Sporting host Manchester City in the