Chelsea hero questions ‘strange’ Ruben Amorim appointment by Manchester United

Joe Cole has questioned Manchester United’s appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new manager, saying the process has been messy.

Amorim has been confirmed as the incoming manager at Old Trafford, set to take over on 11 November, replacing interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The 39-year-old admitted that he wanted to stay in charge of Sporting for the rest of the season but was told that it was ‘now or never’ if he wanted to move to Manchester United, so he took the opportunity.

Cole says the situation is ‘strange’ and worries that Amorim brings a similar reputation to Manchester that Erik ten Hag did when he arrived from Ajax. A move which ultimately ended in failure.

‘I think it’s been messy,’ Cole told TNT Sports. ‘I think he said he begged Manchester United to finish the season with Sporting Lisbon, but Manchester United wanted him now; that’s a strange thing to say coming into the club.

‘But he’s an impressive manager. What he’s done in the Portuguese league has been nothing short of remarkable with Sporting Lisbon’s budget against Benfica and Porto; he’s been incredible, but this is a different beast.

‘I think it’s a strange one. All the things we’re saying about Ruben Amorim we were saying about Erik ten Hag, I hope it works for him.’

Amorim spoke honestly about his decision-making process when he was announced as Manchester United’s next permanent manager, admitting that he did not want to make the move at this stage.

‘At the beginning of the season, I had a talk with [President Frederico Varandas] and Hugo Viana [then-sporting director] and I said that whatever happened, this would be my last season with Sporting. The president is here, he can confirm that,’ Amorim said.

‘The season started, we know that we started very well. Then the Manchester United situation came and they appeared. They paid above the release clause. I never discussed anything with the president about this bargaining. The only question I made was only to go at the end of the season.

‘For three days, I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season. But I was told it was not possible, I was told it was now or never, or Manchester United would go for another option.

‘I had three days to make my decision. The change is radical in my life but I had three days to make this decision. That’s what I did.

‘I have had other opportunities, the president and Viana can confirm this is not the first or the second time I was asked for by another team.

‘I wanted that one in Manchester. I want that context. That context allows me to do things my way. It’s just like Sporting. There’s a time when I have to take a step forward. It was harder for me than for any Sporting fan but I had to do this.’

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