Sure Win
Ruben Amorim’s Final Sporting Home Game: A Memorable Goodbye and a New Challenge at Manchester United
In a dramatic twist of fate, Ruben Amorim’s final home game as Sporting Lisbon’s head coach saw him go up against Manchester City—a club whose dominance has overshadowed the English team he’s about to join, Manchester United.
His exit was only postponed because Sporting refused an immediate release, leading to an iconic showdown where his Sporting side handed City their third consecutive loss and their worst defeat since September 2020.
Celebrations and Farewell at Sporting
Following the match, Amorim joined fans for a celebratory lap around the stadium, a gesture that underscored his deep connection to the club despite initial concerns that some fans had turned against him.
After two Portuguese league titles—one of which ended Sporting’s 19-year title drought—Amorim became a reluctant hero, even getting tossed in the air by his players. With one game remaining at Braga, he now sets his sights on Manchester United and the immense challenges ahead.
Analyzing Amorim’s Tactical Approach
Amorim downplayed his achievement, emphasizing that “you cannot transport one reality into another.” At Manchester United, he acknowledges he’ll need to adopt a more aggressive approach, deviating from the defensive tactics used against City, where Sporting relied heavily on a five-man backline.
His adaptable style, often categorized as a three-center-back formation, is lauded within United’s circles for its flexibility, incorporating variations like inverted full-backs, orthodox wing-backs, or even pushing defenders into midfield.
The Unique Task of Leading Manchester United
While some United fans were thrilled with Amorim’s win over City, he warned against unrealistic expectations, stressing, “People can make their own judgements, but this was a one-off.” His future team will need players capable of implementing his flexible formations. For instance, Leny Yoro’s return from injury is eagerly anticipated for the added speed he’ll bring to the defense, addressing weaknesses that plagued United under Erik ten Hag.
Amorim’s brief encounter with City highlighted his intense coaching style—decisive and instructive but without the animated touch of managers like Antonio Conte. Throughout Sporting’s impressive win, he remained collected, focused on his tactical game plan, and preparing key players, Zeno Blast, Ousmane Diomande, and Geovany Quenda, to maximize their defensive cohesion.
“A Different World Awaits”
Amorim concluded by reflecting on the bittersweet emotions of leaving Sporting. Though he treasures the memories created with the club, he understands that Manchester United’s expectations are a different world, marked by greater scrutiny and higher demands. When asked about the game’s significance, Amorim admitted, “We were very lucky in this game… But the feeling with my players, the way they celebrated the win with the fans, was very special.”
As he prepares to take on his new role in Manchester, Amorim’s debut match is set for November 24 against Ipswich, marking the start of a challenging but promising chapter at one of England’s most storied clubs.
