Ruben Amorim celebrates with his Sporting players after beating Manchester 4-1 in the Champions League
(Image: David Ramos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Rio Ferdinand tells Man United what to expect from Ruben Amorim as Sporting thrash Man City

by · Manchester Evening News

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has insisted the Reds' fans will be begging Ruben Amorim to introduce his structured style of football at Old Trafford after Sporting's thrashing of Manchester City in the Champions League.

City were the better side in the first half and were good value for their lead, secured by Phil Foden's strike early doors. However, from Viktor Gyokeres' equaliser shortly before the break, the tables were turned.

Maximiliano Araujo gave the Lisbon club the lead shortly after the interval before a brace of penalties from Gyokeres secured a 4-1 victory for the Portuguese side. Assessing the match at full time on TNT Sports, Ferdinand was shocked by Sporting's turnaround.

READ MORE: United get new Gyokeres transfer verdict

READ MORE: Amorim told exactly what is happening in the United dressing room

"I want to be in that Sporting changing room at half time. What was he saying? What did he say? How did he change the fortunes of the team?" Ferdinand asked presenter Laura Woods.

"Because first half we were sitting here not quite knowing what Sporting were doing, they were well off it. Is it because City are playing so well or have they frozen on this night?

"The second half... the energy they came out with, how aggressive they were, they were right up against the City players and City didn't have an answer for it. The way they got their goals was some fantastic football, not just relying on individual brilliance, teamwork and structure created the pathway to these goals."

Analysing how United fans may be reacting to that result, Ferdinand responded: "The runs, the timing, the space between the players... these are all the things that I am sure the Man United fans watching will be going: 'You know what, please let us have a bit of that.' This was not plane sailing, first half Manchester United fans will have been scratching their heads going: 'Hold on a minute, this is not what we have been seeing in the media being written and spoken about this guy.'

"But second half, it was a completely different story and you have to say that we have been in changing rooms where you have felt you are being played off the park and coming out in the second half it is hard to change that tide, but they have done it and they blew City away." Amorim starts work at United on Monday, November 11 with his first match coming away at Ipswich Town after the international break.

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