Amorim issues reality check after City rout

LISBON — Ruben Amorim insisted that Sporting Lisbon's stunning 4-1 rout of Manchester City in the Champions League does not guarantee he will be able to make an immediate impact at Manchester United.

Sporting manager Amorim has accepted United's offer to replace Erik ten Hag, and will officially take charge of the troubled Premier League club on Nov 11.

Regarded as one of Europe's brightest young managerial minds, the 39-year-old delivered a tantalizing glimpse of his acumen, as Sporting exposed injury-hit City's defensive weaknesses.

Phil Foden put City ahead in the opening moments at the Jose Alvalade stadium, but the visiting side wasted a string of chances to increase its lead and Sporting made it pay.

Viktor Gyokeres equalized before halftime and Maximiliano Araujo bagged Sporting's second after the break, before Gyokeres' penalty capped its incredible fightback.

Gyokeres is the first Swede to score a Champions League hat-trick since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2013.

Amorim, who led Sporting to two Portuguese titles in four years, will take charge of his first United game at Ipswich on Nov 24.

But, he is far too astute to claim that one victory proves he can revitalize moribund United, which is in the grip of its worst start to a season since 1986-87.

"What I can tell you is that this doesn't mean anything in particular, don't take anything from this," Amorim said.

"It's misleading, we were very lucky today. We cannot transport one reality to another. Manchester United cannot play the way we play, and we will have to adapt."

Amorim was lauded by Sporting fans throughout his last home game, before his jubilant players gave him a memorable send-off by tossing him in the air in celebration after the final whistle.

"The feeling with my players and the moment with the fans were very special, so I take this to Premier League," he said.

"When I arrive there, it's a different world, a different pressure. I will try to be the same. It will be fun, very fun, and I'm ready."

'Start from a lower level'

Despite handing Guardiola his heaviest defeat since 2020, Amorim paid his respects to the manager he must outwit over a whole season, rather than just one game, if the balance of power in Manchester is to shift back to Old Trafford.

City has won six titles in eight years under Guardiola, while United hasn't been crowned champion since 2013.

"He is so much better than me at the moment. But, I believe a lot in my newest club," Amorim said.

"We will start from a lower level, maybe I can say that, and we will improve the team, the club. Let's see."

Sweden striker Gyokeres would be a useful addition to United's misfiring attack on the evidence of his ruthless demolition of injury-hit City.

The former Coventry striker has emerged as a Champions League sensation this season, but Amorim said he doesn't expect to bring him to United.

"No, no. I cannot be funny with that in this moment. It was tough for me to leave. If I start to joke about that with Gyokeres then I have problems," he said.

"This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect that Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then, maybe he is going somewhere else."

Amorim took a long lap of honor after his perfect farewell victory and Gyokeres is in no doubt about his departing manager's qualities

"Of course we will miss him a lot, we have done amazing things together," Gyokeres said of Amorim.

"We have to look forward to the next challenge ahead of us, but first of all, we have another game on Sunday."

AFP