🗣️ Amorim clears air over rumours he'll bring Sporting stars to Man Utd

Incoming Manchester United boss Rúben Amorim has addressed rumours that some Sporting players could follow him to England.

The 39-year-old will take charge of his final game with the Portuguese club against Braga over the weekend and discussed his potential transfer plans during his pre-match press conference.

The rumour mill suggested some Sporting stars, including striker Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves, could follow him to Old Trafford. But for now, the manager has ruled out such claims.

“I won’t be signing in January, that’s what I said. I don’t know about the summer,” said Amorim. “The main thing is to hold on until the summer [laughs]. After that, we’ll see, Sporting’s players are very good players. I don’t know. We’ll see.

“[Gonçalves] has to focus on Sporting. Reinforcements have to do with the teams’ needs. He can play for any team in the world and with any player because he is a great player, not the one who attracts the most attention.

“I could take him anywhere. He is very funny, which helps a lot in personal relationships and he is very intelligent, we saw that in the last game, but he has to focus on Sporting because it is very important for us to be champions this year, but as Sporting’s coach I say he can play for any team in the world.

Amorim then admitted that switching clubs mid-season did lead to some stress, but he will keep Sporting in his heart from now on. Saying goodbye also proved a difficult moment for him.

“I was quite stressed and nervous about the situation, but not now, I am quite positive. The new coach will be introduced later, I am sure that he is ready and I have great confidence in the players, they will do their job and I will be focused on another role,” he said.

“Life is like that and, at the moment, I am much more positive and much more normal. Everyone is ready, players, management and the club itself, to continue what we have done so far.

“It was strange leaving the Academy today because I know I won’t be going back there… I didn’t tidy up the office, they’re going to send me my things, I didn’t want to do that. I’m not one to say goodbye to people, I’m not good at goodbyes, I find it all very strange. But it’s strange to leave there by car and know that I won’t be going back there, it’s been almost five years.

“Above all, I feel that I gave my all, but it’s not over yet, I can leave on a very good note or just on a good note if we don’t win the game [against Braga]. We’ve experienced unforgettable things here, the feeling I take away is one of great happiness and a sense of duty fulfilled.

“I’m leaving behind many friends, but I’m still young and I still have a lot to do, I have to move on and now I have a new challenge starting on Monday. Now it’s time to do the last thing we have to do together, which is to keep our place and equal Sporting ‘s best start and the next coach will certainly break that record in Sporting’s history.

“When I leave Sporting , I will be the coach of another club, I will just be rooting for them, I will watch the Portuguese league with a different freedom. I will be rooting for my players and my friends, but clearly focused elsewhere and that’s it.”