Ruben Amorim branded 'Judas' as departing coach receives mixed reaction from Sporting CP fans after Portuguese champions cruise to victory hours after move to Man Utd is announced

Manchester United announced on Friday that Amorim has been appointed as the club's new head coach and will start work on November 11. Before then, Amorim still has some Sporting fixtures to negotiate and was back on the touchline with the Portuguese side on Friday night. Amorim oversaw a 5-1 win over Estrela Amadora in a game which saw fans hold up banners directed at their departing coach that read "Judas", but also "Thank You." There were also some boos for the 39-year-old as well as plenty of applause as supporters digested the news of his imminent exit.

Sporting fans have seen their team win the league title twice since Amorim took charge in 2020, while Friday's win maintains their place at the top of the table and extends their lead over Porto. Yet the search is already on for a replacement for the United-bound head coach who was appointed just four days after Erik ten Hag's sacking by the Red Devils.

Amorim spoke about his move after the win. He told reporters: "The season started, we started very well, and then Manchester United came, they pay above the compensation clause and the president defends the club's interests. I never discussed anything with the president. For three days I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told it was not possible. It was now or never, or Manchester would go for another option. So, I had three days to make my mind up, to make a decision that changes radically my life."

Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take interim charge of Manchester United and will oversee games against Chelsea and Leicester in the Premier League and PAOK in the Europa League. Amorim's first game at the helm of the Red Devils will be against Ipswich Town on November 24.