Ruben Amorim insists Man United ‘can NOT play the way we play’ after helping Sporting Lisbon thrash Man City – as incoming boss reveals the one area where the Red Devils will differ
- Amorim took charge of his last home game against Sporting on Tuesday evening
- This weekend he has one last game before heading to Man United
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Ruben Amorim has insisted Man United will not be able to ‘play the way we play’ after helping Sporting Lisbon beat Man City on Tuesday night.
The Portuguese boss took charge of his final home game for Sporting after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Red Devils as a replacement for Erik ten Hag.
And he signed off in style after a shock 4-1 win over United’s local rivals Man City, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring a hat-trick on the night.
It was a result and performance that will excite United fans, but Amorim was quick to explain that the Red Devils will not be able to copy Sporting’s style.
After the match, Amorim said: ‘We cannot transfer one reality to another. United can’t play the way we play, they can’t be as defensive.
Ruben Amorim has insisted Man United will not be able to play ‘the way’ Sporting play
The Portuguese boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Red Devils
‘Of course it’s good to beat City. But I’m going to live in a different world, we’ll have to start from a different point.’
Despite the scoreline showing Sporting dominating the match, the home side were limited to just 27 percent possession – which is probably what Amorim is referring to.
Sporting also scored just nine shots compared to City’s 20 and completed 181 passes compared to City’s 556.
After the match, Amorim said an emotional farewell to the Sporting Lisbon fans after his last home game in charge.
He will be tasked with turning around a poor start to the season United are currently 13th in the Premier League and for more than a year without a win in Europe.
Before the match, a giant tifo was seen with the word ‘obrigado’ (which roughly means ‘thank you’) and Amroim’s face was also on the screen.
As well as the Portuguese, there were the two divisional trophies he won in his four years at the club – the first of which was the club’s first in 19 years.
An emotional Amroim then went outside to receive a commemorative plaque of sorts representing his achievements, and he appeared to hold back tears and waved to those in attendance.
Amorim helped to a 4-1 win over Man City in his last home game for Sporting
However, he revealed that United cannot be as ‘defensive’ as the Portuguese giants
Fans chanted his name in the opening moments of the match, before Phil Foden’s strike silenced the crowd after just four minutes.
After a poor first half from the hosts, they turned the style around in the second period, with star striker Viktor Gyokeres scoring a hat-trick in the victory.
City boss Pep Guardiola congratulated his future rival at full-time – the next Manchester derby is just 40 days away – before Amorim headed off to celebrate with his players.
He performed a lap of honor at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, where 50,000 fans were present to express their thanks. He stayed on the field well past full-time.