Ruben Amorim 'very happy' to be working with Man Utd star as Sporting boss hints at plans

is "very happy" to be reuniting with former Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte at Manchester United, having lost his services last year. The incoming Red Devils head coach has publicly spoken about one of his new players for the first time as he prepares to leave Lisbon for English football on Monday.

Amorim will take charge of Sporting one last time on Sunday when the Portuguese champions travel to his former club Braga in the Primeira Liga.

On the same day, could bid farewell to when he completes his tenure as United's interim manager against Leicester City.

Amorim has openly admitted that he is wary of disrespecting Sporting and the city of Lisbon on his way out, considering he is abandoning the club's first title defence in almost two decades.

Therefore, the 39-year-old has only sparingly discussed his upcoming job at United, maintaining focus on his final days at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

But, ahead of the Braga clash, Amorim has addressed one of the members of his new squad for the first time. Ugarte happens to have been a member of his old squad, too.

The 23-year-old midfielder thrived under Amorim, making 85 appearances before completing a £51million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Following a difficult season in France, Ugarte accepted an initial £42m switch to United earlier this year, and he is starting to find his feet in Manchester.

Ahead of their reunion, Amorim has hailed Ugarte, insisting he boasts encouraging potential and current quality.

The Portuguese tactician is delighted to have his former workhorse at his disposal again, which should prove valuable as he prepares to instil a new philosophy at Carrington.

"All the Uruguayans I managed are incredible and that's why I love all Uruguayans," Amorim told TNT Sports Mexico on Friday.

"Ugarte is a very talented boy, and has a lot of room to grow. I am very happy to know that I have him back at Manchester United!"

Amorim faces an arduous task adapting United's current underperformers to suit his preferred 3-4-3 system, which has helped Sporting become Europe's most free-scoring team.

But Ugarte's presence will come as a vital boost. Having settled for early cameos under Erik ten Hag, five of his last six appearances have been starts.

And that trend will likely continue once Amorim takes control, given the pair's outstanding relationship from their time together in Portugal.

If he continues to find his stride in the English game, Ugarte could join Kobbie Mainoo as United's first-choice midfield partnership for years to come.