Man City star's Ruben Amorim comments shows true thoughts on Man Utd's new boss

Bernardo Silva can't bring himself to wish good luck - but he acknowledges that are getting a top-quality boss.

Silva, whose side face Amorim's soon-to-be former club in Lisbon in the tonight (November 5), has strong ties to Sporting CP via his mother, while some of his closest friends are ardent supporters. He saw Amorim transform them into a force, saying they had become a "machine" under his leadership.

Silva, who came through the ranks at Lisbon rivals Benfica, scored a brace in City's 5-0 win at the Jose Alvalade Stadium two years ago. However, he is expecting a much sterner test this time around.

"Before he arrived Sporting didn't win the league for nearly 20 years but since he's been there with the president and the sporting director, it looks like they all went in the same direction," he said .

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"When that happens and people are competent and have the same idea and go the same way, the chances of doing well are much higher. As a manager, tactically, you can see that he's really good.

"The way he prepares his teams - Sporting are a big machine right now. I only have compliments because they've been flying in the Portuguese league. It's going to be very tough to beat them."

However, as a City player, he understandably couldn't go as far as wishing Amorim well. He said: "In terms of him going to Manchester United, I don't wish him well.

"But he deserves to be in one of the best clubs in the right now because of the work that he has done for the last few years. He will be a rival but I am glad someone else from Portugal is in the best league in the world."

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Amorim, who officially starts work at United on November 11, insists his head is still with Sporting for his final two games in charge, starting against City. He said: “The focus is on winning the game for Sporting.

“After that, the inferences that people will draw from this game are not important to me because they could be misleading. If the result is negative, expectations will drop.

"If we win they will think that the new has arrived! That will be very difficult to live up to. I don’t think about that. What interests me is to win.”

Amorim was recently linked with City as a potential replacement for , a rumour which surfaced following confirmation Sporting’s director of football Hugo Viana would be moving to the Etihad next year.

“Obviously, it is something that crosses your mind but I never had any doubt," added Amorim. “My decision is made. I wanted to work for Man United and that is what I did.”

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