THE TIME IS NOW FOR AMBITIOUS AMORIM

Sporting boss given 3 days to accept United job after appeal to join end of season denied

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LISBON - Ruben Amorim revealed on Nov 1 that he was told by Manchester United "it was now or never" as he looked ahead to taking over the Old Trafford hot seat midway through the season.

The 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon coach was confirmed as the new United manager earlier in the day to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

However, his initial desire was to stay with the Portuguese champions until the end of the season and then switch to the English Premier League in the summer - an idea quickly quashed by United.

"The only question I made was to go at the end of the season," Amorim told a news conference.

"But I was told it was now or never. I had three days to make the decision. That's what I did. If I rejected it now, in six months I would not have got it.

"I didn't want to regret making this decision."

On Nov 1, Amorim saw Sporting defeat Estrela 5-1 for a 10th win in 10 Portuguese league games this season.