Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim makes Sir Alex Ferguson reference when asked about Manchester City clash

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United fans will be watching with interest as Ruben Amorim leads Sporting into battle against Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Manchester United have a new manager… well, almost.

United sacked Erik ten Hag last week and have already picked out his replacement.

Ruben Amorim has been appointed as United’s new boss but he won’t be arriving in Manchester just yet.

The deal sees Amorim continue managing Sporting before the international break, meaning his first game in charge of United will be against Ipswich Town on 24 November.

Amorim faced off against United cult hero Nani on Friday, beating Estrela Amadora 5-1 in his penultimate home game as Sporting boss.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim shares Sir Alex Ferguson reference

Amorim’s final home game comes on Tuesday night as Sporting host Manchester City in the Champions League.

A final farewell arrives at Braga this weekend but all eyes will be on Amorim and how he fares against City.

United fans will be looking for a positive performance at the very least; expecting Amorim to beat City is probably a step too far, but United supporters want a reason to hope.

Amorim has been speaking to the media in Portugal ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash and one English reporter highlighted that a win would make Amorim an immediate hero.

As quoted by Record, Amorim tried to play down the United angle around the game, suggesting that he just wants to win the game for Sporting.

Amorim did though accept that the result will alter perceptions around him; defeat would leave some questioning United’s move and a win would, as Amorim put it, leave fans believing that he is the new Sir Alex Ferguson.

Amorim isn’t taking the situation too seriously but it clearly aware that expectation levels would sky-rocket if Sporting beat City.

“The focus is on winning the game for Sporting, after that, the inferences that people will draw from this game are not important to me because they could be misleading,” said Amorim.

“If the result is negative, expectations will drop; if we win they will think that the new Alex Ferguson has arrived… What interests me is to win, a good farewell in Alvalade, win in Braga and start a new adventure in Manchester. What I want is to leave the fans and my players happy for what is to come in the new season,” he added.

• READ MORE: Ruben Amorim reveals he received last-ditch contract offer while in talks over Man United job

How Amorim has fared in the Champions League so far this season

The league season has been remarkable for Sporting, winning 10 from 10 whilst conceding just three goals and scoring 35.

The Champions League campaign has been impressive too though with Sporting beating Lille 2-0 to open the league phase.

Former United wonderkid Angel Gomes was sent off for Lille against Sporting but Amorim’s team still had to get the job done.

Sporting then drew 1-1 at PSV Eindhoven before beating Sturm Graz 2-0 away from home.

Sporting sit eighth in the new-look Champions League format having taken seven points from a possible nine.

City did hammer Amorim’s Sporting 5-0 in the Champions League back in 2022, and Pep Guardiola’s side do have the quality to repeat that result.

Even if that does happen, United fans need to remain calm and back Amorim to bring a bright future – and some Champions League action – to Old Trafford.