Ruben Amorim has insisted that he will not be targeting any Sporting Lisbon players during the January transfer window.
On Friday, Manchester United confirmed that they had reached an agreement to appoint Amorim as their new head coach, with the 39-year-old set to officially begin his new role at Old Trafford on November 11.
Speaking after Sporting's clash with Estrela Amadora on Friday night, Amorim revealed that Man United had rejected his request to delay a move to Old Trafford until the end of the campaign.
The highly-rated Portuguese head coach was also asked about Man United's potential transfer plans, as a number of Sporting players have been linked with moves to Old Trafford since the managerial switch was confirmed.
However, Amorim has ruled out any January business taking place between the two clubs.
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Amorim rules out Man United signing any Sporting players in January
"I'm not going to come for any Sporting player in January. These years at Sporting have been the best years of my life. Everyone knows how much I loved it here. But it's not my farewell yet," he said on Friday night.
Amorim is believed to be keen to bring centre-back Ousmane Diomande with him to Old Trafford, while the club's star striker Viktor Gyokeres is also being linked with a switch to the 20-time English champions.
Outstanding young talent Geovany Quenda is another said to be on Man United's radar, while Goncalo Inacio, Marcus Edwards and Pedro Goncalves are also believed to be admired by the Premier League club.
However, Man United are not expected to have significant funds to improve their squad during the winter transfer window, with Amorim likely to have to wait until next summer to boost the squad.
"There was no revolt. They were sad. I felt a different atmosphere. Some of them have been with me for five years. I have a strong relationship with them. But until the Braga game I'm their boss and they know it," added Amorim when asked about the reaction of the Sporting players to his departure to Old Trafford.
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Amorim confirms staff will follow him to Man United
Amorim also revealed that his staff would follow him to Old Trafford, with coaches Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Jorge Vital likely to move to Man United, in addition to sports scientists Paulo Barreira and Emanuel Ferro.
"I'm going to take my coaching staff with me. We've been together since Casa Pia. It was one of the conditions," he said.
However, confirmation regarding the futures of his staff members is yet to arrive.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in interim charge of Man United for their next three matches against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester City, and the Dutchman has said that he is expecting to revert to his role as assistant manager once Amorim arrives.
Matt Law
