Ruben Amorim Gears Up for First Manchester Derby as United Look to Reverse Premier League Woes
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is bracing for his first taste of the Manchester derby as his struggling side prepares to face an equally underperforming Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Despite a challenging start to life at Old Trafford, the Portuguese tactician remains resolute, promising fans that United will “fight” to claim all three points and begin the process of restoring their faltering Premier League campaign.
Both Manchester giants head into Sunday’s clash desperately in need of a turnaround. United, languishing in 13th place, have collected only one win in their last four league matches under Amorim, while Pep Guardiola’s City, winless in nine of their last 10 games across all competitions, sit eight points clear of their city rivals. Yet, the derby offers an opportunity for both sides to rewrite their narratives.
United’s Quest for Revival
Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford in November, has already tasted victory on the European stage, guiding United to a 2-1 comeback win against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday. However, his Premier League record remains dismal, with the Red Devils having endured their worst start to a league campaign since 1986.
Speaking to MUTV ahead of the derby, Amorim expressed his excitement and determination. “I am always looking forward to coaching Manchester United, especially in the derby,” he said. “But we have so much to focus on. We are focused on improving day by day, and we want to see different things.”
Amorim acknowledged the team’s potential, pointing to their first-half performance against Arsenal last week, despite ultimately losing 2-0. “I think we did a good job in the first half against Arsenal. We have the ability, we have the players to do it, and we will try to do it again and try to win the game.”
Instilling a Winning Mentality
The Portuguese manager emphasized the importance of building a winning culture at United, starting with back-to-back victories. United’s Europa League win, courtesy of a Rasmus Hojlund brace, has given the squad a much-needed morale boost, but Amorim is keen to ensure they carry that momentum into the Premier League.
“You don’t get carried away about the winning – we should win this type of game,” Amorim stated. “So now we’re going to another game we need to win. We lost the other two in the Premier League. We have to have this feeling of winning these kinds of games, and we will be ready.”
Amorim also highlighted the ongoing transformation within the club, noting that significant changes are being implemented to address United’s struggles. “Of course, we know that we have a lot to improve. A lot of things are changing here, but we will fight for the game,” he promised.
Tough Times at the Etihad
Recent trips to the Etihad Stadium have been far from kind to Manchester United. The Red Devils have suffered heavy defeats on their last three visits, including a humbling 6-3 loss last season. Their most recent win at City’s fortress came in March 2021, and Amorim knows the challenge ahead will require both tactical brilliance and mental resilience.
Man United still have the upper hand in the Manchester derby head-to-head pic.twitter.com/tLU1Qoej8S
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) December 14, 2024
United’s defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent attack have been glaring issues this season, with their lowest points tally after 15 games in nearly four decades. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s City, despite their struggles, remain a formidable opponent with the quality to punish any lapses in concentration.
City’s Struggles and Amorim’s Focus
Pep Guardiola is enduring his toughest spell since taking the reins at Manchester City in 2016, with just one win in their last 10 games. However, Amorim insists that he is focused solely on Manchester United’s performance and not distracted by City’s current plight.
“I have a huge respect for Manchester City, but I’m just focused on Manchester United,” Amorim explained. “We have so much to do here. Of course, we need to have a strategy, we need to understand the opponent, but my focus is just Manchester United. We just want to improve and to win games.”
Interestingly, Amorim boasts a recent victory over Guardiola’s City, having masterminded a 4-1 triumph against the Premier League champions in his penultimate match as Sporting Lisbon boss. That result adds a layer of intrigue to Sunday’s derby, as fans wonder if Amorim’s tactical acumen can spring another surprise.
The Derby Stakes
While United aim to climb out of the bottom half of the table, a win would also help Guardiola’s City stabilize their campaign. Both teams are desperate to inject momentum into their seasons, making this derby one of the most high-stakes clashes in recent years.
United’s attacking hopes will rest heavily on Rasmus Hojlund, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his debut season, and Bruno Fernandes, whose leadership and creativity remain central to the team’s chances. Meanwhile, City will look to the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne to spearhead their attack and end their torrid run.
The derby could also serve as a defining moment for Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford. A victory against City would not only lift spirits among the United faithful but also demonstrate that the club is moving in the right direction under his leadership.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, all eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium, where two of English football’s biggest clubs prepare to battle for bragging rights and, more importantly, the chance to reignite their campaigns.
READ NEXT:
