LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Call him the new Alex Ferguson.
Ruben Amorim endeared himself to fans of Manchester United, the team where he’ll soon be coach, by leading his current club Sporting Lisbon to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ahead of his final home game in charge of Sporting after more than four years, Amorim quipped that United fans “will think that the new Alex Ferguson has arrived” if he was able to lead Sporting to victory over City — one of the favorites for the European title.
While that might be too strong — after all, Ferguson is regarded as one of soccer’s greatest managers after his trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford from 1986-2013 — United supporters might be thinking they finally have a coach who can bring the good times back to a club that has lost its way since Ferguson’s departure more than a decade ago.
Especially if Amorim eventually brings Viktor Gyokeres with him to Manchester.
The Sweden striker led Sporting’s fightback from a goal down at Estadio Jose Alvalade by netting a hat trick — including two penalties — in a stunning result in the fourth round of league games in the revamped competition.
Sporting fans unfurled a huge banner ahead of kickoff bearing the message “Obrigado (thank you) Ruben Amorim,” five days after the 39-year-old coach signed to become the new United manager. He will take charge of United from Monday, allowing him to complete his commitments with Sporting, which included the match against City and concludes with a trip to Braga on Sunday.
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