LISBON, Nov 6 — Viktor Gyokeres’s hat-trick fired Sporting Lisbon to a stunning 4-1 rout of Manchester City in the Champions League as Ruben Amorim showed why Manchester United were so keen to lure him to Old Trafford. Sporting manager Amorim has accepted United’s offer to replace Erik ten Hag and will officially take charge of the troubled Premier League club on November 11. Regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young managerial minds, the 39-year-old delivered a tantalising glimpse of his acumen as Sporting exposed injury-hit City’s defensive weaknesses.
Phil Foden put City ahead in the opening moments at the Jose Alvalade stadium, but the visitors wasted a string of chances to increase their lead and Sporting made them pay. Gyokeres equalised before half-time and Maximiliano Araujo bagged Sporting’s second after the break before Gyokeres’s penalty capped their incredible fightback with two penalties. Erling Haaland squandered a chance to give City a second half lifeline when his penalty hit the bar.
Amorim said United fans might think “the new Alex Ferguson has arrived” if his team beat City. After the turbulent end to Ten Hag’s reign — he was sacked in October with United languishing in the bottom half of the table — Amorim clearly faces a huge task to restore the club to the glory they enjoyed in the Ferguson era. Comparisons with United’s legendary former boss should be shelved for now, but Sporting’s spirited victory will have fans counting .
