Ruben Amorim has said he never spoke to Manchester City about becoming Pep Guardiola’s replacement.
Amorim established himself as one of Europe’s finest up-and-coming coaches with his impressive work at Sporting Lisbon.
United quickly moved to appoint Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag in late October, when he had been linked to City amid uncertainty over Guardiola’s future.
The fact Sporting director of football Hugo Viana is taking that role at the Etihad Stadium next summer added an extra dimension.
But Amorim insists the Old Trafford post was his only ambition.
Asked if he ever had a conversation about the prospect of joining City at any point, Amorim said: “Never. Never had and this was my only option.
“When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts because I had already something in my mind (that) it could be a possibility.
“With Manchester City or Hugo Viana? Nothing about that.”
Guardiola ended speculation about his future shortly after Amorim stepped foot in Manchester, with the City boss signing an extension until 2027.
The 53-year-old put pen to paper midway through what is his worst run of results since taking over in 2016, with Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Juventus continuing that wobble.
City have won just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions, with seven of those games ending in defeat.
One of those losses was masterminded by Amorim, whose Sporting side secured a stunning 4-1 Champions League triumph (below) as he waited to take the reins at United.
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