Ruben Amorim endeared himself to Manchester United fans before even arriving at Old Trafford by engineering a stunning 4-1 defeat of Manchester City with Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese was taking charge of his final home match as Sporting boss before officially starting work as United’s head coach and watched as his side came from behind to thrash City in the Champions League.
City took an early lead through Phil Foden but Sporting hit back with a hat-trick that included two penalties from Viktor Gyokeres – who has been tipped to follow Amorim to United – and a strike by Maximiliano Araujo.
Obrigado, Rúben Amorim 💚 #UCL pic.twitter.com/itvLdHKS6C
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 5, 2024
It was the first time City – for whom Erling Haaland missed a penalty – have lost three games in succession since 2018, excluding a later sequence in 2021 that included the Community Shield.
The evening began with Sporting in celebratory mood as they showed their appreciation for Amorim for a four-year spell in which he delivered two domestic titles.
They were celebrating again by the end, but only after overcoming a poor start in which City could have put the result beyond doubt themselves.
City won 5-0 on their last visit to the Jose Alvalade Stadium and may have fancied a repeat as they opened the scoring within four minutes.
Hidemasa Morita was robbed by Foden and punished as the England international fired through a poor attempt at a save by Franco Israel.
It was Foden’s eighth goal in his last nine Champions League starts and he nipped in to seize possession again soon after, but this time the attack ended when Haaland sliced wide.
Israel almost had another moment to forget when he dallied in possession but he cleared in the nick of time from under Haaland’s feet.
Despite City’s dominance, they were vulnerable to the counter-attack.
They had a lucky escape after Rico Lewis gave the ball away and Gyokeres raced away from inside his own half only to shot tamely at Ederson.
It was a poor miss but the former Coventry striker was in the right place to hook clear off his own line from a Haaland header.
Haaland was also denied by a fine save from Israel when he met a Foden cross with a fierce volley and Bernardo Silva shot wide.
City were made to rue their profligacy as Sporting snatched an equaliser before the break.
FULL-TIME | Defeat in Lisbon.
🟢 4-1 🩵 #ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/2qJpvXaRQ2
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 5, 2024
Again they were caught by a quick break as Geovany Quenda released Gyokeres and this time the Swede made no mistake as he outpaced teenager Jamhai Simpson-Pusey to score.
It sparked a remarkable turnaround, with Francisco Trincao shooting over just before the break and Sporting grabbing the lead within 20 seconds of the second half starting.
The hosts went straight upfield and Araujo finished emphatically after timing his run onto Pedro Goncalves’ neat through-ball to perfection.
Things immediately got worse for City as they conceded a penalty within a minute of the next restart when Josko Gvardiol bundled Trincao over in the box. Gyokeres thumped home the spot-kick.
City were offered a route back into the game when they were awarded a controversial penalty of their own by VAR after a Silva shot struck Ousmane Diomande’s arm. Haaland failed to capitalise as he smashed the ball against the crossbar.
The third penalty of the game was awarded 10 minutes from time when substitute Geny Catamo was knocked over by Matheus Nunes.
Gyokeres again finished emphatically and Amorim, who will face City again in a Manchester derby next month, could wave farewell to the home fans in good heart.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal 3-0 Nottm Forest Leicester 1-2 Chelsea Pray for City! Club football is back Harry Kane recreated the Bundesliga logo When you order Jack Grealish on Wish This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The France striker has been linked with Manchester United in recent days.And as he battles to work his way into Chelsea's starting XI this season, Nkunku is said to be considering his options.United and PSG have both been linked with the striker.But the Athletic says Chelsea have ruled out parting with Nkunku in January....
Diomande has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.Andersen coached the defender with Midtjylland U19s and told O Jogo: “I can understand that there is a lot of enthusiasm around Diomande and that big clubs are after him, because he has been very well. "They're crazy values, you've reached a point where you start to wonder if they belong there. I talk to...
Trivela says Real are considering a move for the Brazilian veteran in January.Real management recognise the retirement of Toni Kroos has left a massive void, which has led to discussions about bringing Casemiro back to the club.It's believed Casemiro would have a big impact on the pitch and in the dressing room at Real, which are struggling for consistency this season.The 32 year-old left Real for...
Arsenal and Liverpool to lock horns in January for ZubimendiReal Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has emerged as a prime target for Liverpool, but Arsenal are reportedly keen on rivalling the Merseyside club for his signature. According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are preparing a second bid for the standout player, with a January transfer seen as a strong possibility. They are determined to land Zu...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Jack Grealish joked about Pep Guardiola's reaction if he went on I'm a Celeb this year Man City vs Spurs this weekend… Cristiano Ronaldo Mudryppe Throw back to the most crazy substitution in football history... Kylian Mbappe vs Tree When everyone keeps calling you a one season wonder but you're just a chill guy. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will...
Ruben Amorim is set to take charge of his first game for the Red Devils against Ipswich on Sunday.Man Utd are planning some major transfers to bolster Ruben Amorim's teamThe club are reportedly considering returning for Jarrad BranthwaiteJamie Carragher is intrigued to see how such a "radical" move with work mid-season, while Amorim himself has warned fans they will need to prepare for some "hard ...
The center half is one of the most sought after young talents in the world at present.Per football.london, both Arsenal and United are keen to sign him in the summer.However, the source states that United are very much in the ascendancy in this respect.Having hired Ruben Amorim, who was previously Diomande's manager at Sporting CP, gives them a big edge.Diomande may also base his decision on wheth...
Javier Mascherano is set to become the new head coach of Inter Miami in the upcoming days as the two parties finalize contract negotiations, sources have confirmed to ESPN.Mascherano will leave his post as manager of Argentina's youth team to lead Lionel Messi and the Herons throughout the 2025 campaign. He replaces Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who exits the club after a year and a half due to personal...
Kolo Muani Linked with January Premier League LoanParis Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani could secure a temporary move to the Premier League in January, according to Caught Offside. The French international, who has faced limited playing opportunities this season, is attracting interest from several English clubs. West Ham United and Newcastle United are reportedly leading the race for Kolo...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 5 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 6 Harry Kane’s ‘fugly’ £7,200 statue branded ‘stuff of nightmares’ unveiled
- 7 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 8 Daily Laugh - Trossard suffers an injury
- 9 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 10 Andy Robertson marks 80th Scotland cap with stoppage-time winner in Poland