Rúben Amorim? Reaching Manchester United with this result is better...

First and foremost, congratulations to Sporting; they played a great game and deserved to win.

From the outset, they were well-organized, and their approach was clear. What more can I say? It’s hard to come out and speak positively after a 4-1 loss, but I know how we performed today, and how good we were in certain areas. Our center-backs, despite being young and relatively inexperienced at this level, held their ground well under pressure and did what we asked of them. Their composure and ability to read the game were impressive, and they’ll only grow from here. What more can I say? I’m proud of their effort and attitude.

"We were close to scoring the second and third goals at critical moments, but unfortunately, we lost due to minor lapses those small details that make a huge difference at this level. We’ll definitely play better as we learn from these situations and adapt. Even though the scoreline was 4-1, which doesn’t necessarily reflect the performance accurately, the players know they delivered some solid moments and showed resilience. Sporting was particularly dangerous in transition. Trincão and several others executed those quick plays brilliantly. You could see they were emotionally charged, confident, and motivated. When you’re up 3-1, especially in a game like this, it naturally boosts your confidence, and they capitalized on that. Football isn’t just about tactics; it’s a lot about emotions, and Sporting used that to their advantage.”

On Rúben Amorim: “Looking ahead, I believe he’ll make his way to Manchester United. I fully expect to face him in the Premier League twice more, and it will be interesting to see how his journey unfolds. For me, every match against a new coach is an opportunity to learn, and I’m sure Rúben [Amorim] approaches it the same way. That said, my focus has to stay on my team; I want to bring out the best in my players and push them to perform at their highest potential. This mindset doesn’t change based on who is on the opposite bench.

"I can’t say if [Rúben Amorim] will be more successful than us. Time will tell, and we’ll see how things evolve. He’s very welcome, of course. It’s clear that arriving at Manchester United off the back of this result [a 4-1 win] is a confidence boost it’s always beneficial to join a new role with a strong result like this behind you. However, what actually happens at Manchester United depends on him. He’ll need to navigate that environment, build his influence, and make his mark with the players and the club. Only he can determine what the future holds at Manchester United.”

The coach’s reflections highlight a mix of respect and realism, as he acknowledges the solid performance of Sporting while maintaining a measured perspective on Amorim’s possible future at United. It’s clear that while results matter, both on the pitch and for managerial aspirations, the journey for any coach involves continuous learning, adapting to challenges, and finding ways to motivate players in a competitive environment.