The forthcoming match between the two city rivals will be a little spicier than the usual delectable affair between Manchester City and Manchester United.
In his final home match as Sporting Lisbon’s manager, Ruben Amorim of the Red Devils memorably defeated Pep Guardiola’s team in the Champions League at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
The visitors go through a bit of a manager bounce under the Portuguese manager, even though the hosts will be the favorites in the Man City vs. Man United odds at the Etihad on December 15.
In addition, Amorim would have learned a good deal about his new cross-city rivals from that decisive Champions League victory of 4-1.
When Phil Foden gave Man City the lead in Lisbon, it appeared as though Sporting may have a hard night.
But after the early goal, Amorim helped his team stay focused by remaining cool and collected on the sidelines, something former Man United manager Erik ten Hag lacked while he was at Old Trafford.
Viktor Gyokeres’ equalizer shortly before halftime gave Sporting the boost they needed to finally settle into the match, seemingly turning the tide in the home team’s favor and giving the supporters more hope.
Sporting capitalized on their advantage with confidence after Maximiliano Araujo put the home team ahead just seconds into the second half. Gyokeres scored twice more to boost his confidence.
Amorim worries he may have set the bar too high and was ready to criticize the outcome that surprised the football odds, even if Man United supporters clearly appreciated what they saw from their new manager.
After the game, the former teammate of Man United great Cristiano Ronaldo remarked, “It’s deceiving, we were really lucky today, but the mood with my players, the way they celebrate with the crowd was very special.”
“I bring this with me, but it’s a different world and pressure when I get to the Premier League.”
Amorim is making a big splash when he joins the Premier League, whether that is true or not. The 39-year-old has long been a target for England’s elite teams.
As they looked for successors to David Moyes and Jurgen Klopp, respectively, Liverpool and West Ham United both approached Sporting for his services in the summer.
To the delight of the Stratford End supporters, Amorim asserts that he turned down offers from the Reds and the Hammers, even though he was offered more money, because he was waiting for the Man United job.
With a 2-0 lead in the first half, his old team Braga tried to ruin Sporting’s penultimate match before the international break. But after 11 games, Leões rallied for a 4-2 victory in the second, preserving their undefeated season start.
Amorim had a busy week, stating that a film about his tenure at Sporting should be filmed. Manchester United supporters who watched their new manager closely during his last days in Portugal will be extremely optimistic about his arrival in Old Trafford.