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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Amorim saved Sporting from despair but United marks a whole new test

Rúben Amorim before the Primeira Liga match between Benfica and Sporting
Rúben Amorim has returned Sporting to the top of the Portuguese game and established himself as one of the brightest young managers in Europe. Photograph: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

The parallels are there and Manchester United have certainly considered them. Few managers go into a club during the season when everything is rosy but, even by the low standards of the trade, Rúben Amorim’s arrival at Sporting in March 2020 stood out.

The Lisbon giants were at a horribly low ebb. Fourth in the Primeira Liga, 20 points off the leaders, Porto, they were on to their fourth manager of the season and their previous title from 2001-02 was a speck in the rearview mirror.

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