Ruben Amorim endeared himself to fans of Manchester United, the team he will soon coach, by leading current club Sporting Lisbon to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Ahead of his final home game in charge of Sporting after more than four years, Amorim quipped that United fans "will think that the new Alex Ferguson has arrived" if he was able to lead Sporting to victory over City - one of the favourites for the European title.
While that might be too strong - after all, Ferguson is regarded as one of soccer's greatest managers after his trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford from 1986-2013 - United supporters might be thinking they finally have a coach who can bring the good times back to a club that has lost its way since Ferguson's departure more than a decade ago.
Someone who can take on - and beat - City's esteemed manager Pep Guardiola, too.
"I believe a lot in my new club," Amorim said.
"We will start from a low level, and we will improve the team, the club,"
Especially if Amorim eventually brings Viktor Gyokeres with him to Manchester.
The Sweden striker led Sporting's fightback from a goal down at Estadio Jose Alvalade by netting a hat-trick in a stunning result in the fourth round of league games in the revamped competition. That's 23 goals in 17 games for Gyokeres this season.
Sporting fans unfurled a huge banner ahead of kickoff bearing the message "Obrigado (thank you) Ruben Amorim", five days after the 39-year-old signed to become the new United manager.
He will take charge of United from Monday, allowing him to complete his commitments with Sporting, which included the match against City and concludes with a trip to Braga on Sunday.
Amorim was thrown into the air by Sporting's players after the game and walked around the field with the team in a farewell to fans.
During his four full seasons at the club, Amorim led Sporting to two Portuguese league titles.
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