Ruben Amorim warned Manchester United what was coming before accepting the job

Now or never was the message when Manchester United came knocking on Ruben Amorim's door last October.

After making the decision to sack Erik ten Hag less than 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium, United earmarked Amorim as their top target to replace the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

United moved swiftly to get a deal in place, paying €10million (£8.3m) to trigger his Sporting Lisbon release clause.

Amorim had put Sporting back on the map, winning two Primeira Liga titles in three seasons after the club previously gone 19 years without being top dog in Portugal. Sporting's style of play was also attractive to United, with club bosses hopeful he would be able to revolutionise the Reds' fortunes with a new-look style.

However, Amorim was hesitant about making the move there and then, informing United that he wanted to wait until the summer to become United's next permanent head coach. He had already informed Sporting of his plan to leave the club at the end of the season.

United, though, were not willing to take no for an answer and Amorim had to make a life-changing decision there and then.

"The season started, we started very well, and then Manchester United came, they pay above the compensation clause and the president defends the club's interests," Amorim explained back in November.

"I never discussed anything with the president. For three days I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told it was not possible.

"It was now or never, or Manchester would go for another option. So, I had three days to make my mind up, to make a decision that changes radically my life."

On reflection, it is easy to understand why Amorim wanted to take charge at United ahead of the