Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim left star in tears after telling him he was leaving
Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Goncalves admitted he was left in tears after ex-manager Ruben Amorim announced he would be leaving the club to join Manchester United
Pedro Goncalves confessed that Ruben Amorim's mid-season exit from Sporting CP left him in tears as he hailed his father-like approach to managing in Portugal. Amorim joined Manchester United in November as a replacement for the sacked Erik ten Hag.
His start at United has been difficult, with the club floundering above the relegation places. And he suffered yet another huge setback on Wednesday night after the 2017 Europa League winners lost this year's final to Tottenham.
United headed into the match as favourites, with fans and pundits backing the Red Devils to secure silverware once again. However, a scrappy Brennan Johnson effort on the stroke of half-time subjected the club to yet more disappointment.
Amorim heads back to Manchester trophyless and feeling the pressure, while Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who has also been feeling the heat, returns to north London with silverware for the first time in 17 years.
However, one man who backs the Portuguese manager to return to his best is Sporting midfielder Goncalves, who opened up about Amorim's influence on his team before his abrupt exit in 2024.
In an interview with Canal 11, the 26-year-old, who has been linked with a reunion with his ex-gaffer at Old Trafford, said: "I wouldn't be here today [without him].
"We had a very strong bond, both professionally and personally. He liked my wife very much and was concerned about my well-being, both on the field and in my family life. He knew when players were happy or sad, and he knew exactly what to say.
"We were sad. I started crying because I really liked him, and I was sad. I never told him not to go; I wished him good luck. The players understood. He was like a father to us. We were sad, but we understood. I wish him the best of luck."
Reflecting on the effects of Amorim's exit, Goncalves added: "We were left without a coach, without a captain, without the forward, Paulinho, who gave us a lot and scored many decisive goals, plus Adan, who was an experienced goalkeeper.
"In the middle of the season, we felt we were missing some leadership. The team united, and it went well. Everyone tried to lead, and Morten started to emerge."
Despite Amorim's departure from Sporting, the club still managed to win the Liga Portugal title under heavy pressure from close rivals Benfica.
Amorim, meanwhile, has had a disastrous time in Manchester. In addition to the Europa League disappointment, United have exited three cup competitions and dropped to 16th in the Premier League.
The 40-year-old has offered to step down from his position as United boss if the fans and Red Devils hierarchy demand it, but he still believes he's the right man to restore the club to its former glory.
Amorim said: "If the board and the fans feel I'm not the right guy, I will go in the next day without any conversation about compensation. But I will not quit again. I am confident in my job. As you see, I will not change anything in the way I do things.
"In this moment, I am not here to defend myself. It's not my style. I have nothing to show to the fans. In this moment [I need] a little bit of faith."
Luke Shaw is one man who still backs his under-pressure boss, despite admitting that United have been far from their best this season.
He said: "I can say 100 per cent right now he's the right man. Results have not been good at all. I've been here for a long time now and been through different managers.
"Ruben, for me, I talk on my behalf and I can talk on behalf of all the players, he is 100 per cent the right manager to take us back to where this club should be.
"It's going to be a very difficult process, us as players, we've let a lot of people down, including Ruben. I will say it again, we've been nowhere near good enough the whole season."
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