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Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim lasted only 14 months at the helm for Manchester United, with his time in the role ending shortly after he launched a verbal attack on United chiefs.

For some fans, this dismissal came too soon, but ultimately his time was upat Old Trafford. There were similar, perhaps even stronger, feelings at Sporting Lisbon following the news Amorim was leaving the club to take on the United job. Sporting were on a very good run of form in Europe and were top of the domestic league in search of their third crown in just five years.

Star player and captain Morten Hjulmand was gutted to see his manager leave for England but despite his exit, Sporting would go on to secure that all important third triumph in his absence.

This is a stark contrast to his exit at United, where he left the role with the team in a bad run of form, before Michael Carrick stepped in and helped the team record a famous derby victory over Manchester City.

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Speaking to RTP via A Bola, Hjulmand spoke of the time Amorim left, making his feelings clear on the manager's exit from the Portuguese heavyweights.

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"We thought that Amorim would stay for the season and fight to also be a two-time champion," explained the skipper. "Many players wanted to stay at Sporting with Ruben Amorim, because he is a great coach."

Whether he was betrayed, Hjulmand answered: "That’s a very strong word. We feel disappointed with his departure. We were on a run of 11 consecutive wins, doing very well in the Champions League.

"Everything was very clear to everyone on the pitch. It was almost as if we were playing Playstation. Everyone knew what they had to do.

"I told him in front of the other players that we were disappointed with his departure. We were counting on him to help us all fight for the second title.

"He himself said the same thing at the start of the season. But afterwards, I also told Ruben that we understood his decision."

On the manner in which he left the club, Amorim said: "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.

"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."

He continued: "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.

"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."