Sporting star says players want to prove they 'don't need' new Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim
Sporting Lisbon sit top of the Portuguese league with a perfect record and their skipper insists they want to show they can land the title without Ruben Amorim in charge
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorMorten Hjulmand insists Sporting Lisbon are determined to prove they can land the league title without Ruben Amorim at the helm.
The Portuguese champions are about to lose their manager to Manchester United following a hugely successful stunt in charge. Amorim helped the club end their 19-year wait for a top flight triumph but he will pursue pastures new at the end of the week.
Sporting currently sit top in Portugal after a stellar start and will now attempt to finish the job without their highly rated young coach. Hjulmand has proven himself to be one of a number of impressive signings made under Amorim and the captain will now attempt to lead the team into a new era.
He said on the imminent exit of his manager: "It's a positive challenge. Winning the championship continues to be the objective. Life goes on, now we want to show that we don't need Rúben."
The hierarchy in Manchester moved quickly to try and secure Amorim's services last week after sacking Erik ten Hag. The 39-year-old claimed during the week that he hadn't made a decision on his future but his appointment was confirmed on Friday.
Hjulmand added: "It wasn't easy. But we are resigned to the fact that Rúben is leaving, we will have a good coach, in whom we believe. Everyone who works at Sporting made a good choice with this new coach. The fans also believe in the new coach. The championship is underway and we have to win it."
Sporting won their tenth match on the trot at the weekend to ensure they remain three points clear of Porto. Already they're eight points ahead of Benfica as they look to land back-to-back titles - something they haven't managed under Amorim.
Hjulmand, who scored for Denmark when they drew with England at Euro 2024, insists that the new United boss was a huge reason he chose to leave Italian football and sign for Sporting - talking up the qualities he has as a coach.
"Rúben was one of the reasons I came to Sporting," said the 25-year-old. "When you are coached by him, you get a clear idea of how he sees football and how he sees us as part of the team. It is a very important image for the player, knowing what his role is, what he can contribute to the team."
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