Ruben Amorim has said that he felt an immediate "connection" with Manchester United, with the Portuguese speaking for the first time since being officially confirmed as the club's new head coach.
The 39-year-old's spell as Sporting Lisbon manager came to an end last Sunday, guiding the Green and Whites to a 4-2 victory over Braga in Portugal's top flight.
Amorim then travelled to Manchester on Monday, with his contract officially beginning, although he is still waiting for his visa and has therefore not yet been able to take a training session.
The Portuguese's visa is expected to arrive in time to allow him to take training on Monday, with the team being prepared for next weekend's Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.
Amorim has called Man United "the engine of the Premier League" and spoke of the "great responsibility" that he has when it comes to attempting to lead the team to glory.
© Imago
Amorim opens up on Man United "connection"
"First of all, I think I felt a connection with the club. And when I say with the club, everybody knows Manchester United. But I feel the connection with the people in the club and that is very important for me because I want to work with people that I like and I feel a connection," he told MUTV.
"The second point is the history of this club. All the people are hungry for success and I feel that this is the place that I want to be also because of that, because you can be part of something special, not just one more. And that is something that I really like. And of course, because of the fans, because in Portugal you listen a lot, a lot of stuff from the media.
"But when you see the games here, when you see the games, the interaction with the managers, with the players, even in difficult moments, I think it is a special club.
"Of course. Sir Jim [Ratcliffe] and Sir Dave [Brailsford], but especially Omar [Berrada], Dan [Ashworth] and Jason [Wilcox]. I felt a connection and I felt we are in the same moment. We want to do something special in the special club. So, I think that was a key point.
"When Manchester United talked to me, Omar, they told me about their plans. It's a real honour because I was the first choice to start that path. So it's a great responsibility. But you feel honoured and excited to be part of that.
© Imago
Amorim insists Man United "are going to succeed"
"And we know that if the team plays well and wins games, everything looks so much better and the people really start to believe in the new stadium and new ideas. So, we know that we are the engine of the football. Manchester United is the engine of the Premier League in my opinion.
"That is a great responsibility. And the first thing is that I'm really honored to be here. It was my only choice because I think I really feel how big this club is.
"And then I will do everything for the team. I will defend my players if I have to, all the time, against everybody. That is a key point for me, and I will try to do everything to put this club in the place that it belongs. And I believe a lot that we are going to succeed."
Amorim has taken over a side that are currently 13th in the Premier League table, but the Red Devils are only four points off third-placed Chelsea in England's top flight.
The Portuguese has also discussed his plans for the Ipswich clash on November 24, with much being made of the 3-4-3 formation that he is expected to implement, having enjoyed huge success with that set-up at Sporting.
Matt Law
