Ruben Amorim reveals Man Utd rejected his shock demand during negotiations to replace Erik ten Hag

Ruben Amorim has explained how Manchester United rejected his request when negotiating his contract.

Amorim, 39, was officially announced as United's head coach on Friday afternoon after several days of media speculation about his future.

The Portuguese will begin his new role on November 11 but will not take charge of his first match until an away day at Ipswich Town on November 24.

Until then, current interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee the Red Devils’ matches against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester City as he looks to build on Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Foxes in the Carabao Cup.

Despite the announcement, Amorim took charge of Sporting CP’s 5-1 win against Estrela Amadora on Friday evening.

Although his side put on a stunning display, with former Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres scoring four goals, it was what Amorim said in his post-match press conference which piqued the interest of many.

The 39-year-old explained how United had told him it was “now or never” despite him wanting to see out the season with Sporting.

"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,” Amorim explained.

“The president is here, he can confirm that.

Ruben Amorim oversaw Sporting's victory yesterday evening (Credit:Getty)

"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.”

The former Benfica player also explained how he was not short of other offers, revealing United’s approach was not the “first or second time” he had been targeted by another club.

He then revealed how the move was not about money, stressing the fact another team “wanted to hire” him and was willing to pay “three times more than Manchester [United]”.