"A disgrace" - Manchester United fans hit out at UK press for demanding Ruben Amorim speaks English

Ruben Amorim is still Sporting CP manager despite his impending arrival at Manchester United, but you'd think he was preparing his Red Devils side for a clash with Manchester City. That's judging by a Sky Sports reporter's demand that the Portuguese speak English during his pre-match press conference.

The incoming new United head coach was speaking ahead of Sporting's UEFA Champions League encounter with City tonight (October 5). He took questions in his native language but the English reporter pressed Amorim to speak English and when he declined he was told he'd given his new fans in England the cold shoulder.

Amorim officially starts his job at Manchester United on November 11 and until then he's employed by Sporting. He is preparing the Liga Portugal side for his last two games as their manager, including his last outing at the Jose Alvalade Stadium against Pep Guardiola's City.

Manchester United fans hit out at reporter's antics towards Ruben Amorim

Social media has been rife with furious fans, including rival supporters, criticising the English press and their almost obnoxious attitude towards Amorim. They feel it's disrespectful and lacked integrity and it's fair to say the Portuguese tactician will have to get used to this once he takes over at Old Trafford.

One fan lambasted the reporter with a response on X/Twitter:

"Cotterill is a disgrace, journalists are supposed to carry a presence of charm and integrity, he possesses neither of those qualities, he's rude, arrogant & undeservedly entitled."

Another fan pointed out the reporter's ludicrous antics given the situation:

"An English reporter throwing a tantrum because Ruben Amorim, a Portuguese manager, currently representing a Portuguese club, is speaking Portuguese at a press conference."

Other fans reacted with similar disdain. One fan wrote:

"Please ban these journalists from future Man Utd’s conference."

Another fan stated:

"That attitude just shows a lack of respect for other cultures and languages."

Erik ten Hag's frosty relationship with British press

Erik ten Hag's tumultuous reign as Manchester United manager was littered with many problems, including his relationship with the British press. The Dutch coach struggled to build a bond with the media, and this even led to him banning several journalists from a press conference last season.

The same reporter haggled Ten Hag when he visited Selhurst Park to watch United in their final game of the 2021-2022 campaign. This came before he started his job as Red Devils boss and he was followed in the car park at Crystal Palace's stadium and told it 'wasn't a good look' ignoring the chance to speak.

This is the type of media pressure Amorim can expect at Old Trafford as he takes up one of the biggest jobs in British football. He appears to have the personality to deal with such situations, a charm that maybe Ten Hag lacked both with the press and his players.

Amorim spoke to TNT Sports (in English) in a seperate interview before his final home game as Sporting boss against City. That interview gave an insight into his mindset amid facing Guardiola and the expectations victory or defeat will bring.