Incoming Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim says fans might think he’s the ‘new Alex Ferguson’ if his Sporting CP side beat Manchester City.
In what will be one of his final games in charge of the Lisbon-based outfit, Amorim’s Sporting are taking on City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old coach will head to Old Trafford after the international break, and has voiced concerns about how quickly United fans will judge him.
Speaking to the press ahead of Tuesday’s game against City, he said: “If the result is very negative, expectations will drop and I don’t think that’s a bad starting point, when you begin at Manchester United.
“If we win they’ll think the new Alex Ferguson has arrived, which is very difficult to maintain.
“I’m fully aware that I’m going to be judged as a manager on this game, and only on this game, and I realise what [people] can take from this depends on the result.”
Ruben Amorim Makes Alex Ferguson Comparison To Highlight Size Of Task
In an illustrious, 26-year career at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson won just about everything.
The legendary Scottish manager won 38 trophies with the club before retiring in 2013.
This is no doubt the reason for Amorim’s comments, with the incoming Portuguese boss hoping to dampen expectations and relieve some pressure.
In the 11 years since Ferguson’s retirement, United have struggled almost continuously. Their best Premier League finish was as runners-up to City in 2018, where they ended the season 19 points adrift of Guardiola’s team.
And Amorim is no stranger to Pep’s City side. In 2022, City hammered Sporting 5-0 over two legs in the Champions League last 16.
But this season, Sporting have won 14 from 15 in all competitions, including a perfect start in the league.
Amorim said: “I feel like I’m a better coach [now].
“Unfortunately what I feel is that Pep Guardiola has also become an even better coach, so the gap remains.
“[City have] the best team in the world and the best coach in the world.”
Bernardo Silva Praises Former Teammate Ruben Amorim
City star Bernardo Silva played alongside Amorim for Benfica back in 2013-14. Speaking on Monday, Silva was full of praise for his countryman and former teammate.
He said: “He always showed he could read the game because he played different positions – as a defender, on the left, as a midfield player.
“When he arrived Sporting hadn’t been champions for 20 years. He changed the playing paradigm of Sporting. They are the best team in Portugal by far.
“He will be a rival but I am glad someone else from Portugal is in the best league in the world.
“When Ruben becomes coach of Man United, we will worry about that then. Right now we want three points to get to the top eight.”
