“United cannot play the way we play”
After Foden opened the scoring for Manchester City, Sporting showed great character and resilience as they fought back through a Viktor Gyokeres hattrick and a Maximiliano Araujo strike, which gave Manchester City their first loss in the UEFA Champions League this season. However, in the long run, Amorim clarified that this win means absolutely nothing when he is in the dugout managing Manchester United.
“We cannot transport one reality to another,” he said as reported by the Guardian. “United cannot play the way we play, and they cannot be so defensive. Of course, it’s good to beat City. But I’ll be living in a different world, we’ll have to start from a different point.”
Before the game, he clearly mentioned that if the result goes their way, everyone will start calling him the next Sir Alex Ferguson, and if it doesn’t, he’ll be targeted. “I was playing with words when I said that I am not going to read anything for six months,” said Amorim. I am going to focus on the team.”
In Sporting’s last home game with Amorim, he received a heart warming reception from the home supporters and the players were also equally grateful to the departing manager.
I thanked everyone for the win,” he said. “If we hadn’t won the match, the moment wouldn’t be so nice. It was better with a win over City.” He was also asked if it was his dream to sign off with Sporting. “Yes. I couldn’t ask for anything better; it was an important moment for everyone. But we had the luck – this was a one-off.”
I wasn’t expecting to be raised in the air; I know what I did for them and what they did for me. I will keep these memories with me for ever. The most important moment for me was when we lost 5-0 to City [two years ago] and everyone applauded.”
He stated that the players celebrated by raising him in the air as a gesture of gratitude and affection. He said it was his job and his right to do it as a payback to the fans who stood behind the team even when they lost 5-0 to Manchester City two years ago. He starts his era at Manchester United against Ipswich Town after the international break, a moment very much anticipated among United fans and worldwide.
ALSO READ: What Manchester United Can Expect from Incoming Manager Amorim