Amorim’s stunning exit leaves Sporting and Man United fans smiling

In Lisbon, Ruben Amorim celebrated a memorable 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League with his Sporting players, marking a remarkable farewell as he prepares to join Manchester United as their new manager next week. For Manchester United fans, the result brought double joy: not only seeing City defeated but also knowing that Amorim, who orchestrated the win, is set to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Sporting was initially outplayed for the first 35 minutes but turned the game around with resilience and creativity, ultimately winning and moving up in their Champions League group. This game was Amorim’s last home match with Sporting, and he’ll close out his time with the club on Saturday against Braga, where Sporting will aim to maintain their unbeaten league record.

Reflecting on the victory, Amorim said, “It felt meant to be, especially when they missed the penalty. I couldn’t have asked for a better farewell.” He expressed gratitude for his time with Sporting, where he won two league titles in four years and called this chapter the “best phase” of his life.

Manchester United fans, pleased with his impressive win against City, know Amorim faces a big task ahead. United currently sits 13th in the Premier League. His first match will be against Ipswich Town after the international break, and he’ll face Guardiola’s Manchester City again in December. Amorim acknowledged that his approach at United will need to adapt: “Things will be different, and we’ll need a new approach.”

Amorim has been humorously dubbed “the next Ferguson,” but he shrugs off comparisons. He plans to avoid reading any media coverage about himself for the first six months in England, as he did at Sporting. He leaves his Sporting successor a solid foundation and hopes fans will be patient with the new coach.