MANCHESTER — Ruben Amorim is confident Manchester United will rise to the occasion against a Manchester City side in transition for tomorrow’s clash between the local rivals, who are both off to poor Premier League starts.
One of Amorim’s only eight wins in 30 league games since taking charge of the Red Devils came at the Etihad last season as two late goals earned a 2-1 victory in December.
That defeat came amidst a run of one win in 13 games for Pep Guardiola’s men as City collapsed last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles.
But hope that a major overhaul of Guardiola’s squad would restore their former glories has so far proved a false dawn.
After a convincing 4-0 win at Wolves on the opening weekend of the season, City have lost to Tottenham and Brighton.
For the first time in five years, United head into a derby ahead of their local rivals in the table, albeit only by one point.
There have been promising signs for Amorim in a dramatic late 3-2 win over Burnley, a 1-1 draw at Fulham and an unfortunate 1-0 defeat to title-chasing Arsenal.
However, optimism of a fresh start at Old Trafford after finishing 15th last season was sapped by an embarrassing League Cup exit to Grimsby - the first time in the club’s history United had lost to fourth-tier opposition.
After being backed with a £200 million (RM1.1 billion) overhaul of his forward line, Amorim is under pressure to deliver results quickly.
But a number of his better results since taking charge in November have come against tougher opposition.
United held Premier League champions Liverpool 2-2 at Anfield and dumped Arsenal out the FA Cup away from home last season.
“The small details that sometimes we drop a little bit, not in these games,” said Amorim.
“I’m more comfortable in these games – but we will be ready against a very, very good team.
“I think we are a better team (than in December). If you see any aspect, the data, we are a different team. We are ready to play the game but we have to show it on Sunday.”
