MANCHESTER UNITED fans were left gushing after Ruben Amorim’s final game as Sporting Lisbon manager.
The Portuguese gaffer official takes charge of the Red Devils today, replacing the recently-axed Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.
Amorim bid an emotional farewell to Sporting on Sunday night after a late comeback United legend Sir Alex Ferguson would have been proud of.
The Amorim era was set to end with a 2-1 defeat to Braga before his troops – his second-half subs in particular – performed an incredible 13-MINUTE turnaround.
Sporting ran out 4-2 winners thanks to a wonder strike from Morten Hjulmand in the 81st minute and a late brace from Conrad Harder, who struck in the 89 and 94th minutes.
Footage of Amorim’s Houdini act in his final game in charge of Sporting spread like wildfire on social media.
And it further excited the Old Trafford faithful about his imminent arrival.
One wrote on X: “Amorim got that Fergie Time juice. OT will love him.”
Another said: “Comeback from Sporting after being 2-0 down away from home, Amorim has Fergie gene.”
And another said: “Amorim’s got that Fergie time gene.”
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WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
One remarked: “Ruben Amorim has started winning games in Fergie Time.
“And he requests not to be compared to the great man.
“It’s a battle you will not win, Ruben. Especially with this hyperbolic fanbase.”
Another chimed in: “Amorim clinching his final win in Fergie time. How poetic. He’s the one!”
Amorim, 39, was set to fly to Manchester today to begin his reign as United manager but reportedly has yet to acquire a work visa.
Speaking after his side’s dramatic comeback, he said of his new job: “It’s going to be difficult, I’m not under any illusions.
“I feel ready for the new challenge. I’m not naive, I know it’s going to be very different, very difficult.
“I’m at peace now, I can focus on my new job and I’m looking forward to starting tomorrow.”
