Ruben Amorim admitted 'it is difficult' when he quit club for new challenge Ruben Amorim has opened up on his decision to leave Sporting CP in January in order to take the reins at Manchester United, admitting it was a "very tough" call to make Ruben Amorim took over at Manchester United in November (Image: Angel Martinez - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images ) Ruben Amorim opened up about the "very tough" decision to leave Sporting CP for Manchester United. Amorim faced a challenging transition in November when he took over from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford but has struggled to replicate his success in England amid a series of poor results - with the club currently at a disappointing 14th place in the Premier League. ‌ Despite implementing his favoured 3-4-3 formation, Amorim's efforts have not yet yielded the desired result on the pitch, side-lining Manchester United for their potentially worst-ever finish in the English top division. Reflecting on his tenure with Sporting CP, where he secured two league championships and three domestic trophies, Amorim shared the significance of the decision and just why he joined the Red Devils. He said: "I reached my fifth year at Sporting CP and I had to make a choice. "The current context at Manchester United makes this something extremely challenging. After Sporting CP, I wanted that. I want this context, because it allows me to do things my way and for the club to believe in me that way. Article continues below "It's just like Sporting CP. I have to take steps forward in my career and it was harder for me than any other Sportinguista to leave. I knew that if I rejected Manchester United, in seven months' time I wouldn't have that option available, and I knew that at the end of the season I was going to leave Sporting CP. Ruben Amorim had a whirlwind tenure with Sporting CP (Image: AFP via Getty Images ) "I could have felt a sense of regret that would be difficult to deal with. Between the disappointment of all Sportinguistas and taking risks in my career, or waiting for the end of the season and not having the only club that I wanted to join as an option, I had to decide. So I decided," reports the Mirror. ‌ "I gave everything I had for the club and it was a huge source of pride. It's hard for me to leave here, as I'm very comfortable and I'm very happy." While Amorim initially hoped his move to United would happen at the end of the season, he acknowledged that his preference was overlooked, leaving him with just days to make a decision about his future. He added: "At the beginning of the season I had a conversation with the president and Hugo Viana and I said that, regardless of whatever happened, this was going to be my last season at Sporting CP. ‌ "We started very well this season and then Manchester United came in for me. They paid above the amount set for my release clause and the president of Sporting CP defended the club's interests. "I never argued about anything with the president regarding the negotiations. The only thing I asked during the process was that it take place at the end of the season. It's been a tough start to life for Ruben Amorim in Manchester (Image: George Wood/Getty Images ) Article continues below "I spent three days asking for this, but I was told it wasn't possible. It was now or never, otherwise they would look for another option. I had three days to decide something that radically changes my life." Manchester United's underwhelming season continues, with the team lagging 38 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and only six games left to play. Their FA Cup and League Cup campaigns ended in disappointment, leaving no domestic silverware in sight. Next up is a home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Red Devils desperate to break into the top ten before the season concludes.