Portuguese journalist praises Ruben Amorim for Chelsea snub, right decision made before Manchester United move

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Manchester United have secured Ruben Amorim, finally luring him to the Premier League after he previously snubbed English interest.

Manchester United have landed their man but had to make some compromises in the process.

Ruben Amorim has been appointed as United’s new head coach after United sacked Erik ten Hag last week.

The 39-year-old hasn’t arrived just yet though as the terms of his move from Sporting mean he will only join United during the international break.

Amorim will manage against Manchester City and Braga this week as he says an emotional goodbye to Sporting.

• READ MORE: ‘I have serious doubts’… Sporting have made wrong move over Ruben Amorim, says ex-director

Portuguese media praise Ruben Amorim decision

Amorim will take charge of United for the first time against Ipswich Town and make his Premier League bow once and for all.

The Portuguese coach has been linked with a host of Premier League jobs in recent times.

Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United were all linked and Amorim has admitted snubbing other offers.

It’s United who have tempted him away from Lisbon though and Amorim’s decision to wait has now been praised after finalising his move to Old Trafford.

Journalist Vitor Almedia Gonçalves was spoken on Record na Hora in Portugal and hailed Amorim for his ‘humility’ in recent times.

Almeida Gonçalves feels that it was ‘too early’ for a move to Chelsea when the Blues came calling and noted that there was simply no ‘understanding’ with West Ham.

Amorim chose to stay with Sporting on both occasions but now feels that landing the United job has made those snubs worthwhile.

“Amorim’s career is still very short, he has shown humility. When Chelsea wanted him, it was too early for Amorim and with West Ham there was no understanding,” said Almeida Gonçalves.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Amorim record v Premier League clubs

Leaving Sporting is an emotional moment for Amorim, who has won two league titles since making the move to Lisbon.

Amorim would only leave Sporting for the right offer and he seemingly believes that United fulfil his wishes.

United may not be at the absolute peak of the game right now but the potential is there; that’s why Amorim has taken the job.

Amorim has faced Premier League clubs on six occasions in the past and his record isn’t too bad.

Amorim faced Arsenal twice in the 2022-23 season and knocked them out of the Europa League on penalties after 2-2 and 1-1 draws.

Earlier in that season, Amorim coached against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham and beat them 2-0 in Lisbon before a 1-1 draw in North London.

There have also been two games against Manchester City; the first of which was a 5-0 home defeat for Amorim and Sporting before drawing 0-0 in the second leg.

That is just one defeat in six games and whilst Amorim has only won once in 90 minutes in that run, he has done with a much smaller budget – and United are hoping he can bring some magic to an underperforming squad at Old Trafford.