Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is keeping his attention firmly on his own team’s struggles rather than dwelling on Manchester City’s recent dip in form, ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
The upcoming clash is shaping up to be one of the least anticipated derbies in recent years. United sit a disappointing 13th in the Premier League table, while City, usually title contenders, are instead battling for a Champions League place after a rocky campaign.
City, currently fifth, saw their dominance wane after four consecutive league titles. A turbulent end to 2024 saw them suffer a string of defeats, including two at the hands of Amorim.
The Portuguese coach orchestrated a 4-1 win over City with Sporting Lisbon in November, followed by United’s 2-1 comeback victory at the Etihad in December.
When asked whether City have managed to bounce back since then, Amorim deflected the question:
“I’m more focused on our problems. I think we have bigger problems than Manchester City,” he said. “They had a tough spell, but they’ve improved. They can adapt and play in different ways. With arguably the best coach in the world and a squad full of quality, they remain a tough opponent."
“It’s hard to predict how they’ll line up, so my focus is on preparing our team to perform at their best.”
Following Sunday’s derby, United head to Lyon for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. The return fixture follows a league trip to Newcastle.
With domestic form faltering, United’s hopes of silverware and European qualification hinge on the Europa League, and Amorim hinted that squad rotation could come more into play for the Newcastle match rather than the derby.
“We’re taking things game by game,” he said. “This match is important—we want to climb the table and build momentum. The players are fully focused on the task at hand.”
Meanwhile, United fans are planning a post-match protest at Old Trafford. Supporters group The 1958 will hold a sit-in demonstration calling for the Glazer family's exit from club ownership.
Their previous sit-in, after a comeback win against Nottingham Forest in August 2023, drew thousands. Spokesperson Steve Crompton stated:
“We protest against 20 years of Glazer greed and mismanagement. This is about protecting our matchday culture, which is being eroded every season. On Sunday, we’ll remain in our seats after full-time to make our voices heard.”
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