'Will Start From a Low Level,': Amorim Speaks Out On Handling Struggling United After Guardiola Test

On vember 5, 2024 Sporting CP stunned Manchester City 4-1 at Estádio José Alvalade in a breathtaking UEFA Champions League match. In fourth minute, Phil Foden started City's score; however, Viktor Gyökeres responded with a goal in 38th. Maximilia Araújo swiftly added to Sporting's score after halftime, and Gyökeres guaranteed his hat-trick with two penalty penalties in 49th and 80th minutes, reby securing an impressive win as Sporting's Champions League campaign remained unbroken and ranked second in group standings.

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Amorim heading into Manchester United job on back of huge win over Man City

 Call him new Alex Ferguson.

Ruben Amorim endeared himself to fans of Manchester United, team where he’ll soon be coach, by leading current club Sporting Lisbon to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in Champions League on Tuesday.

Ahead of his final home game in charge of Sporting after more than four years, Amorim quipped that United fans “will think that new Alex Ferguson has arrived” if he was able to lead Sporting to victory over City — one of favorites for European title.

While that might be too strong — after all, Ferguson is regarded as one of soccer’s greatest manrs after his trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford from 1986-2013 — United supporters might be thinking y finally have a coach who can bring good times back to a club that has lost its way since Ferguson’s departure more than a decade ago.

Someone who can take on — and beat — City’s esteemed manr Pep Guardiola, too.

“He’s so much better than me at moment,” Amorim said, “but I believe a lot in my new club. We will start from a low level, and we will improve team, club.”

Especially if Amorim eventually brings Viktor Gyokeres with him to Manchester.

Sweden striker led Sporting’s fightback from a goal down at Estadio Jose Alvalade by netting a hat trick — including two penalties — in a stunning result in fourth round of league games in revamped competition. That’s 23 goals in 17 games for Gyokeres this season.

Amorim has already said he wouldn’t look to sign Gyokeres in January but expects striker to be heading to a bigger team at end of season.

“Viktor has to stay until end of season,” Amorim said, “and n his life maybe is going somewhere else.”

Sporting fans unfurled a huge banner ahead of kickoff bearing mess “Obrigado (thank you) Ruben Amorim,” five days after 39-year-old coach signed to become new United manr. He will take charge of United from Monday, allowing him to complete his commitments with Sporting, which included match against City and concludes with a trip to Braga on Sunday.

Amorim was thrown in air by Sporting’s players after game and walked around field with team in a farewell to fans.

“Of course we will miss him a lot, we have done amazing things toger,” Gyokeres said of Amorim, who has led Sporting to two Portuguese league titles in his four full seasons at club.

“We have to look forward to next challenge ahead of us, but first of all we have ar game in Sunday.”

In ending City’s record 26-game unbeaten run in Champions League, Sporting also consigned Premier League champions to a third straight loss in all competitions — and that hasn’t happened since April 2018.

City was defeated by Tottenham in English League Cup on Wednesday and by Bournemouth in Premier League on Saturday.

Erling Haaland missed a penalty in 69th minute for City when score was 3-1. City had taken lead through Phil Foden in fourth minute.

“It was written, because first half was very tough on us,” Amorim said. “We were very lucky, but n second half we scored twice in first minutes and environment, everything, helped us. lt was an amazing night.”

(AP)