Amorim on walking into Man Utd mess: 'A more complicated world'

Tom Weber

Updated: 4 Nov 2024 15:15 GMT
4 min read

Ruben Amorim, Sporting CP, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Ruben Amorim has spoken to the media ahead of Sporting CP's Champions League clash with Manchester City.

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The new Manchester United boss will take charge of his first European game after being announced as the Red Devils' successor to Erik ten Hag. The timing couldn't have been better (or worse?) as Amorim is set to square up with Pep Guardiola and his new local rivals Man City.

The 39-year-old is braced for one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career, both tactically and emotionally as it will be his final game at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

"We expect a very difficult game from the best team in the world, from the best coach in the world," Amorim said when facing the media. "An exciting, difficult game and we want to be competitive and win the game.

"I hope we win the game, it'll be special, but more so at the end. Until then, everything will be normal, the same stress as always. There have been many games here, very memorable, difficult moments, but it will be my last in Alvalade and it will be special."

Amorim on Man Utd: 'A more complicated world'

After the City game, Sporting will travel to Braga for Amorim's final fixture in charge. The following day, on November 11, he will officially start in his new capacity as Man Utd head coach.

The Red Devils have been a mess this season, enduring their worst start to a Premier League campaign. Due to only playing out a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Man Utd have accrued their lowest-ever points tally after 10 Premier League games.

Indeed, there has been talk in the Portuguese and English media that Sporting's star striker Viktor Gyokeres is unwilling to follow his boss to Manchester due to the state of the club.

Amorim himself is well aware of what he's walking into. Asked whether he will miss Sporting, he answered in the affirmative before admitting that he is entering 'a more complicated world.'

"I've been through this a few times as a player, it's hard to explain. I'll miss it in the future because I was very happy here, I know I'm going to a more complicated world, but we have to take steps forward

"I'm going to miss the country, my players, the club, but now we don't have time to miss anything. The game against Braga will hit me harder than it does now.

"The focus is on winning the game for Sporting, after that, the inferences that people will draw from this game are not important to me because they could be misleading. If the result is negative, expectations will drop; if we win they will think that the new Alex Ferguson has arrived.

"What interests me is to win, a good farewell in Alvalade, win in Braga and start a new adventure in Manchester. What I want is to leave the fans and my players happy for what is to come in the new season."