Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Ruben Amorim following Sporting CP’s thumping win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. The Englishman is hopeful of a change of fortunes under Amorim and believes Guardiola will be “scared” of the Portuguese manager.
Ruben Amorim Oversaw A Massive Win Over Pep Guardiola in the Champions League
In his final home game as Sporting manager, Amorim locked horns with Premier League’s finest, Pep Guardiola, in the UEFA Champions League. Man City struck first in the match, with Phil Foden finding the back of the net in the third minute. However, Sporting refused to succumb to the pressure City subjected them to and produced a comeback for the ages. Victor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick (38′, 49′, 80′) and Maximiliano Araujo (46′) found the netting to propel Sporting to a 4-1 victory.
Viktor Gyokeres is the first Sporting player to hit 𝟱𝟬 goal contributions in a season since Bruno Fernandes 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/8TiU2U3Bif
— LiveScore (@livescore) March 18, 2024
After the game, Amorim underplayed the impact of the thumping win in regard to his move to Manchester United, as the Red Devils could not play the way Sporting did. Ferdinand, however, is not one to play it safe and warned Guardiola and City ahead of Amorim’s imminent arrival.
Manchester United Legend Rio Ferdinand Excited for Ruben Amorim Era
Speaking on TNT Sports, the former center-back said:
“I was excited by the change in dynamics of his team in the second half, how aggressive and dynamic they were, they showed fight and resilience. They are important elements you want him to bring, we are lacking that at Man Utd so I am really excited.
“I’d like to be in the WhatsApp group of the current [Man Utd] team, if they didn’t watch that they are lunatics. The conversations between those guys now, wow. I am sitting there as a player asking why he isn’t coming in tomorrow. I want him now.”
🎥 – Ruben Amorim ball in FULL FLOW against Man City as seen from the stands.
It took them just 8 passes to get into City's box and score. Also notice how each player didn't take more than 2 touches?
WOW!! WHAT A TEAM GOAL!! 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/BvzuAx9SVD
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) November 6, 2024
Ferdinand continued:
“I don’t want to get carried away but I want some good times back. It’s been far too negative and depressing in recent years.
“You want a bit of sunshine and hopefully that man can bring that. But it’s going to take some time it is not an overnight job, but Pep will be scared.”
Manchester United activated Amorim’s €10 million ($10.7 million) release clause to prize him away from Sporting.
Amorim will officially join Manchester United, as Erik ten Hag’s permanent successor, on Monday, November 11. He is likely to make his managerial debut after the international break, against Ipswich Town on November 24.
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