It was written in the stars.
Manchester United’s incoming manager’s final home game against the Red Devils’ bitter rivals Manchester City. Phil Foden opened up the scoring after four minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side pulled and probed Sporting – it was all business as usual.
But no one, absolutely no one, could have predicated what happened next. City capitulated under the steamy pressure of a warm night in Lisbon – and Amorim has already delivered United fans an early housewarming present.
Counter attacks are key
(Image: AP)
It’s easy to counter attack when you have Viktor Gyokeres up top – the giant Swede loves to make mince meat of defenders with his strength and speed.
It was on the counter-attack when Gyokeres fired level, and it was on the counter-attack Sporting won a penalty for their third of the game. Amorim’s plan from the start was expose City on the break – as they so often have been this season.
“He knows they’re stronger tactically, so he’s not taking unnecessary risks,” one fan shared on X. While a second posted: “Amorim is a nuts counter attacking coach ffs he’s got United in his veins!”
He knows how to deliver a team talk
(Image: Getty Images)
Who saw the opening four minutes of the second half playing out like it did. The ball was in play for 42 seconds – and Sporting scored twice.
A certain vintage of United fan might remember Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment – and how it would transform games. Amorim’s team talk might not have been as scathing as Fergie’s, but it definitely worked.
“Seems like Mr Amorim can deliver a pretty decent half time team talk! Might need a few of them at Old Trafford once he arrives! Some turnaround,” one fan joked. While a second said: “Whatever the end result, I need to hear that half time team talk from Amorim!”
He knows how to soak up pressure
Sporting’s main attacking threat came in a whirlwind 11 minutes either side of half-time – but keeping City out for the other 79 minutes is no easy feat.
Amorim’s side were compact, they were solid, and they never really looked like being broken down by City.
City were a shell of their usual side, a story that has become all too common without Rodri.
He gets the best out of his strikers
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
How good is Viktor Gyokeres?
Perhaps he’s only comparable to Erling Haaland – but on an evening where Haaland failed to score and rattled the crossbar with a penalty, there was only really one striker who was going to steal the headlines.
United fans can start to get excited about what he can do with some of their attackers. Yes, Gyokeres was already an elite player when he arrived in Lisbon – but he’s still come on leaps and bounds under Amorim.
He’s going to take the league by storm
(Image: Getty Images)
Statement made.
Tuesday night was almost a warning shot to the Premier League, and clubs will have to take it seriously. City haven’t been at their best as of late, but seldom have England’s juggernauts been made to look as pedestrian as they have in Lisbon.
“We’re winning it all,” one fan posted on social media. While a second added: “The Premier League are not ready for Ruben Amorim football. Best coach in the world!”