The incoming Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, has claimed supporters will think he is the “new Sir Alex Ferguson” if his current side, Sporting, defeat Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. He said that could make expectations of his role at Old Trafford “difficult”.
City’s visit to the Estádio José Alvalade is Amorim’s last home game as Sporting head coach before taking over at United on Monday week. His opening match as Erik ten Hag’s successor is on 24 November against Ipswich. His first derby against City will be at the Etihad Stadium on 15 December.
The 39-year-old was asked how he feels about becoming a hero to United supporters by securing a win against their local rivals in matchday four of the new Champions League format. He provided a somewhat cautious response. “I don’t think about that,” he said.
“My focus is on winning the match for Sporting. The conclusions are not important for me because they could be erroneous: if we win tomorrow they will think the new Alex Ferguson has arrived. That will be very difficult. It could increase expectations, I don’t know what is better when I start my new adventure.”
Amorim was asked how taking on City on Tuesday can aid him when facing them in the Premier League. “Tomorrow I will learn a lot during the matches, one thing to watch on TV another is to see it live,” he said. “When I go to Man Utd I will have a different idea, but I don’t know what I will find.”
Amorim spent time at United’s Carrington training base in 2018 as he sought to gain his coaching qualifications and said he was made to feel welcome by José Mourinho, the club’s manager at the time. Asked if he has spoken to Mourinho about his own appointment to the post, Amorim said: “I haven’t yet. He’s full of games [at Fenerbahçe] and so am I.
“The impact [of my visit] had on my career was the way he treated me. He showed me that you can win everything and be a different person than you think. A special coach who opened the door. I will have time to talk to him, he is very experienced.
“Regarding my experience in Manchester, it was the only club where I did an internship, but I never said ‘I want to come back as a coach.’ But [more] let’s see what happens.”
City defeated Sporting 5-0 in a Champions League last-16 first leg two years ago. It was a bruising night for Amorim two years into his reign there but he says he has learned from the experience and moved on. “I feel like a better coach, but [Pep] Guardiola is also a better coach,” he said.
“The distance [between us] remains. We play in different championships, but I feel like I have better players [than then]. We are prepared to make a more complete game. Let’s see – tomorrow will be a good game to look at all these nuances.”
With City’s visit being his last in front of Sporting home fans, Amorim said: “I will be able to control my emotions. It is important to win. If so it helps me to leave with more joy. There were many games here, some very remarkable moments, some very difficult. But it will be my last in Alvalade and it will be special.”
Hugo Viana, Sporting’s director of football, will replace Txiki Begiristain as City’s sporting director next summer. With Guardiola’s future at the club uncertain, Amorim was asked if this caused him to think he may have been in contention to replace Guardiola at the Premier League champions. “It is something that crosses your mind but I never had any doubt. My decision is made,” he said. “I wanted Man United and that is what I did.”
