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Manchester United have been crowned English champions a record 20 times, but have failed to even compete for Premier League or Champions League titles since Alex Ferguson resigned in 2013.

Amorim, a 39-year-old former Portugal international, is United’s sixth permanent appointment since the end of Ferguson’s trophy-laden 27-year reign.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ten Hag have come and gone, unable to take United to the top despite lavish spending.

More than £600 million ($772 million) was spent during Ten Hag’s five transfer windows on new signings, but few have proven profitable.

Despite United’s flaws, Amorim will have a greater talent pool than he had at Sporting, but will have to work hard to get the most out of an underperforming team.

He is the first manager appointed since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe became a minority owner of the club earlier this year, taking control of football operations.

Being Ratcliffe’s man should give him leeway and time, but he will know that at a club the size of United, patience only goes so far.

“I feel ready for the new challenge,” said Amorim, optimistically, after his farewell match with Sporting. “I’m not naive, I know it’s going to be very, very different, very hard, but I feel like I’m prepared.”