Ruben Amorim has already admitted regret over joining Man Utd amid horror start

Ruben Amorim is suffering a nightmare at the start of his Manchester United reign, tasting defeat in six of his first 11 matches as head coach after walking away from Sporting. And the Portuguese tactician has already publicly admitted that he didn't want to abandon his self-built empire in his homeland until the end of the season.

Amorim landed at Old Trafford in November and has been thrust into the demands of English football, facing games every few days in a hectic winter schedule.

Following Monday's 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle United, Amorim revealed that he had taken just four training sessions with his entire first team since arriving.

The Red Devils are 17th in the Premier League form table since his first game in charge - a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town - and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup via a 4-3 defeat at Tottenham.

Amorim is staring six straight defeats in the face, with a daunting league trip to Liverpool and an FA Cup third-round clash at Arsenal first on his 2025 agenda.

United had recorded their worst-ever start to a season under Erik ten Hag, which is why the club's decision brokers swung the axe months after sticking with the Dutchman.

So Amorim would have understood the magnitude of the task he faced by succeeding Ten Hag and finding a tune out of already-underperforming players in an entirely new system.

That's why the 39-year-old made it clear that his personal preference was to remain in Lisbon until the summer before United tabled an ultimatum.

"The season started, we started very well, and then Manchester United came," Amorim explained after confirming he was leaving Sporting in the November international break.

"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."

Had United not pushed Amorim into making a quick decision, he likely wouldn't have ended up in Manchester whatsoever - the red side, at least.

His public regret over having to make that tough call was potentially an attempt to save face, given Sporting supporters' understandable disappointment over his sudden exit.

But you'd forgive him for still regretting his decision, considering the drastic contrast to his fortunes since making the switch.