90min

Pep Guardiola fires fierce dig at Ruben Amorim and Man Utd

  • Manchester City recorded a 4-1 loss to Sporting CP in the Champions League
  • Guardiola fired an immediate dig at rivals Manchester United
  • Ruben Amorim set to take over at Old Trafford on Monday

By Katie Catherall

Amorim conducted a strong dress rehearsal against Guardiola
Amorim conducted a strong dress rehearsal against Guardiola / Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Pep Guardiola has fired a dig at Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim after facing a miserable 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Champions League.

The Catalan boss was delivered his first taste of Amorim's new-look United when his side failed to impress against the Portuguese coach's tactics in a tough European clash midweek. Usual stars such as Erling Haaland and Matheus Nunes were subject to criticism after Tuesday's disappointing defeat - with the former failing to score a spot kick to gift his side a lifeline.

It marked the third successive defeat for City, with loses to Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth highlighting a potential concern for the English champions.

Guardiola, clearly frustrated after watching his side fall in Lisbon, has wasted no time in firing a dig towards his rivals.

Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol
City recorded a 4-1 defeat in Portugal / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

"We will face them two times in the Premier League and maybe the FA Cup," he said of United after the defeat. "In the Champions League it is not possible."

After recording their worst-ever Premier League finish last term, United failed to earn a spot in this season's Champions League. They did qualify for the Europa League, however, after defeating City in the FA Cup final.

City star Bernardo Silva made his feelings clear after a long night in Lisbon, claiming that the club are in a "dark place" after their recent run of form.

Guardiola was quick to dismiss these comments, admitting that his side did play well against Sporting.

"I don't agree with him. We are not in the dark side," he told reporters after the clash. "We played really bad against Bournemouth but really good here. The only regret is conceding the third and fourth - the penalties were not necessary.

"We knew it would be a tough season at the start and this is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players. Life is like this. We continue.

"What should we do? We go back to Manchester and prepare for the game at Brighton. I won't give up, that's for sure."

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