Ruben Amorim reveals message of encouragement from Jose Mourinho and names the one thing legendary coach taught him as he looks to mimic his success in England

Amorim swapped Sporting CP for United earlier this month and now the 39-year-old is preparing his new side to face Ipswich Town this weekend. Ahead of that clash, Amorim revealed that Fenerbahce boss Mourinho - who managed the Red Devils between 2016-18 - gave him extra self-belief after winning trophies across Europe as a manager. He also opened up on how he and his compatriot differ.

He told reporters: "[Mourinho] sent me a message and told me that this is a lovely club, a big club, with lovely people – and that is correct. It still is. But a lot of things change and we are in a different building now; we are building a new one, and I am different guy. I was learning at the time and I hope to now teach something here too, to my players. But the club is still big and is still the best club in England, and we want to win again, that is all."

Asked what Mourinho taught him, Amorim said: "The first thing, not just me, but with all the Portuguese coaches, it showed that we can be the best in the world. This is something different in a small country; this can [help] put a stamp on everybody. But I am different from Mourinho, I am a different person. But I do remember that time. In that time, you looked at Mourinho and you felt he can win everywhere. It is not the same thing; he was a European champion and I am not a European champion. But I am different guy in a different moment.

"Football nowadays is different and I think I am the right person for this moment, because I am young guy and I understand the players, so I try to use that to help my players like Mourinho did in that era and what he did at Chelsea. If you remember, the young guys were like [Frank] Lampard and these kind of players. Nowadays, it is so much more different. So I think I am the right guy for this moment."

Amorim has a huge job on his hands following the sacking of his predecessor, Erik ten Hag. United are 13th in the Premier League, have been struggling for goals, and have arguably gone backwards. But if the Portuguese can build on the promise he showed at Sporting, he could potentially enjoy some of the success Mourinho has tasted over the years.

Amorim's first game in charge is away to Ipswich on Sunday at Portman Road, before they round off November at home to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.