If we measure Ruben Amorim’s performance solely based on the games against Pep Guardiola this season, it could be labelled exquisite.A 4-1 landslide Champions League victory over Manchester City while still at the helm of Sporting Lisbon and a 2-1 Premier League away win at the Etihad as Manchester United boss prove Amorim’s class.However, unlike in the matches against his much-renowned Spanish counterpart, the Portuguese tactician faced disappointing results in the rest of the EPL games.Alas, today it’s his chance to seal a remarkable hat-trick against Pep as the two sides meet at Old Trafford in the 186th Manchester derby (6.30 pm).Still, it won’t be the same fixture for both teams in terms of importance, as the home lot is preparing for their Europa League clash on Thursday against Olympique Lyon. On the other hand, Manchester City are on the verge of missing out on a place in the Champions League next season. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8831633##They’re currently fifth, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United being inches behind and on the verge of eliminating them from Europe’s elite competition.”We were lucky at the Etihad. In the match against Lisbon in the first half it could have been 0-4, but in the end, we won 4-1. I somehow prefer that victory at the Etihad,” said Amorim ahead of today’s clash. “We won in the last seconds of the match. They had more possession of the ball, but we coped well with Manchester City. If something decided there, then it was luck. Now, we need more than that. We are ready for the match. We are progressing slowly in various aspects of the game. The results may not show it, but we are making progress. I can see it, and we want to continue with that idea,” concluded Amorim.”I will not stay in the middle ground and try to use excuses, it’s not in me.”Ruben Amorim insists he will lead Manchester United to a Premier League title in the future 🏆🔴 pic.twitter.com/hhQdLtfxDk— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 5, 2025 The former Sporting strategist says that Manchester United players are slowly understanding what he is asking of them and getting used to his ideas.”I see changes. First of all, we play more fluidly. It can be seen from how we control the ball. We create more chances. The players understand their positions better. The wing-backs attack more and are braver in the final third. Dorgu and Dalo do it well. We are also better in transition with three defenders. Sometimes it is difficult to see those little things, but I watch the match three times, I am present at training and I can understand that the team’s play is improving”, added Amorim.Kevin, it’s been an honour! De Bruyne says farewell to City with a heartwarming messageOn the other hand, Pep answered diplomatically if he is now more motivated for the rematch due to two consecutive defeats against Amorim.”I forget the bad moments very quickly. When we played them, we were not at our best. The way we lost, with a goal in the last minutes, was disappointing,” said Pep.He is aware that his colleague on the United bench did not have a great start at Manchester United, despite that victory.”Every manager needs to be given time, that’s obvious. In this world, you don’t have much of it, especially in big clubs. You have to win and if you don’t, you can find yourself in trouble. You arrive in the middle of the season, you want to change the way you play, it’s not easy for anyone. What will happen with United? I’m sorry, but I really don’t know,” Guardiola concluded.##NAJAVA_MECA_8831664##City are facing an awful situation when it comes to available players, as Erling Haaland will be sidelined for a long time. He joined Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji on the already long list of sidelined players. The hero of the previous derby, Amad Diallo, has not played for weeks due to injuries, and he will not be on the pitch today either. Kobie Mainoo, who was also injured, could get some playing time, as well as Mason Mount, while Matthijs de Ligt’s appearance is questionable. Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans and Ayden Heaven will be out due to long-term injuries.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 31SaturdayEverton – Arsenal 1-1 (0-1)/Ndiaye 49 (p) – Trossard 34/Crystal Palace – Brighton 2-1 (1-1)/Mateta 3, Munoz 55 – Welbeck 31/Ipswich – Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-0)/Delap 16 – Sarabia 72, Larsen 84/West Ham – Bournemouth 2-2 (0-1)/Fullkrug 61, Bowen 68 – Evanilson 38, 79/Aston Villa – Nott.Forest 2-1 (2-0)/Rogers 13, Malen 15 – Jota Silva 57/Sunday16:00: (3.40) Brentford (3.60) Chelsea (2.20)16:00: (4.20) Fulham (3.80) Liverpool (1.90)16:00: (1.40) Tottenham (4.80) Southampton (7.75)18:30: (3.45) Man.Utd. (3.50) Man.City (2.20)Monday22:00: (6.50) Leicester (4.30) Newcastle (1.50)***odds are subject to change***
