Ruben Amorim opened up for the first time after being officially named Manchester United manager during an emotional post-match interview.
Amorim was taking charge of his penultimate home game in charge of the Libson-based outfit, with Sporting waltzing to a 5-1 victory over Estrela da Amadora.
It’s left Sporting sitting pretty at the top of the Portuguese league table, with Amorim now having just two matches left in charge.
The first of which coming on Tuesday against United’s rivals Manchester City in the Champions League, before he calls time on his Sporting tenure away to former club Braga next weekend.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the Amadora win, Amorim stated: “Obviously, I’ve felt different since this whole situation arose. I understand the anger of some fans and their disappointment. But that’s life. I was moved by the standing ovation and that’s how it is. Right now I don’t want to say much more, I’ll say it upstairs.
“Even the other statement, when it appeared, was on a match day. But clubs are now listed companies and have to present all these things. There were two press releases. But that’s the way it is, there are things we can’t control. I’m already in task mode. It’s whatever it has to be.
“I’m very grateful to the fans and to everything here. People think I wanted to leave straight away. I only went to thank the fans when we were losing. The next home game, whether we win or lose 15-0, I’ll be there to see what the fans want to give me. I understand their anger, but we move on and time heals everything. It’s been the best period of my life.”
The delay surrounding Amorim’s arrival in Manchester is down to the notice period inserted into his Sporting contract.
It means the 39-year-old won’t take charge of his first Red Devils fixture until after the November international break when United travel to Ipswich Town.
During the 5-1 triumph, Viktor Gyokeres was the standout performer for Sporting, netting a stunning first-half hat-trick before adding a spectacular fourth with a mazy solo run in the second period.
Gyokeres has shone under Amorim and is already being linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the former Coventry City ace appeared to distance himself from such rumours following his Man of the Match showing.
On suggestions he could follow Amorim to United in the near future, Gyokeres commented: “Going with Amorim to Man United? I don’t know, I’m here. As you can see, I enjoy it at Sporting. It’s nothing I think about”.
“I’m sad about him leaving. We wish him all the best”.
Gyokeres is rumoured to have keen interest from the Premier League, including off City, Arsenal and Chelsea.