Pep Guardiola appears to aim dig at Manchester United after Ruben Amorim claims huge win

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Evening Standard

·6 November 2024

Pep Guardiola appears to aim dig at Manchester United after Ruben Amorim claims huge win

The Man City boss was quick to point out his rivals’ absence from the Champions League

Pep Guardiola appeared to aim a subtle dig at Manchester United after watching his side capitulate to Ruben Amorim’s Sporting side in Lisbon.

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Manchester City took the lead after just four minutes, but fell apart, eventually losing 4-1 to the soon-to-be United head coach in his final home game in charge of the Portuguese champions.

Viktor Gyokeres hit a hat-trick, including two penalties, while Erling Haaland had a night to forget, missing several chances, and seeing a spot kick of his own crash off the bar.

The win has only increased the hype surrounding Amorim’s arrival in Manchester, and future showdowns with Guardiola, but the City boss was quick to point out games with United would not take place in one very specific competition - the Champions League - at least for this season.

Asked about the prospect of facing Amorim in the United dugout, Guardiola said: “We will face them two times in the Premier League and maybe the FA Cup. In the Champions League it is not possible."

Amorim’s first experience of the Manchester Derby will come on December 15 when United visit the Etihad Stadium.