'It is a betrayal' – Ruben Amorim accused of breaking promise by signing Man United deal

The former vice president of Sporting CP has accused Ruben Amorim of "betraying" the club by agreeing to join Manchester United.

Negotiations between Sporting and United are reportedly in the final stages after the Reds agreed to pay Amorim's £8.3million release clause following Erik ten Hag's departure on Monday. The news has ruffled feathers at Sporting, with key players Viktor Gyokeres and Morten Hjulmand allegedly confronting the manager during Wednesday's training session about the situation.

Several stars were reportedly convinced to stay at Sporting in the summer on the premise that Amorim would also be sticking around. As such, the 39-year-old coach has now been accused of hypocrisy.

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Former Sporting leader Jose Dias Ferreira took criticism to the next level, insisting Amorim was "stabbing" the club "in the back". Speaking to Portuguese outlet Sic Noticias, he said: "I have great admiration for Ruben Amorim... for everything he did for Sporting, [but] his departure leaves me disappointed.

"As a Sporting fan, I can truly say that it is a betrayal. Because betrayal is not just stabbing someone in the back. Betrayal is not fulfilling promises, commitments or principles."

The 'promise' Ferreira is alluding to is reportedly one made by Amorim to the club in the summer, committing to stay and compete for a consecutive Primeira Liga title following interest from the likes of Liverpool and West Ham. Last season, Sporting secured their fourth league title since 1982, and their second under Amorim's leadership.

For decades, Sporting have been overshadowed by Portuguese giants Porto and Benfica. Despite winning the odd cup and league title now and again, they've failed to established a period of genuine dominance in the division, highlighted by their failure to win consecutive Primeira Liga titles since the early 1950s.

The Lisbon club have started the current campaign at a canter, clinching nine victories in their first nine league matches, and there's a growing belief that they could end their 70-year wait for back-to-back titles this season. However, it seems they'll have to do so without Amorim at the helm.

Eduardo Barroso, the former president of the Sporting General Assembly, insisted Amorim's anticipated exit "is like an earthquake" and that his decision to depart has left everyone at the club "devastated". He said: "I agree with the disappointment and frustration, I also feel sad. 100% of Sporting fans are devastated. Ruben Amorim was simply the best coach I have ever seen. And I have been a member [of the club] for 75 years."

Barroso also sounded the alarm about the potential impact of Amorim's departure on the team, suggesting a significant player exodus could be on the cards. "His departure from Sporting is like a huge earthquake, an earthquake," he added. "Earthquakes have consequences. The aftermath I fear most is that players could leave in January."

A number of Sporting players have been on United's radar for some time, and with Amorim on board their chances of luring any of them to Manchester ought to increase. Yet his abrupt exit may end up burning a few bridges, potentially jeopardising United's transfer hopes.

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