Ruben Amorim already matches Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby’s Man Utd record after just six games
RUBEN AMORIM has already matched records held by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby.
The Portuguese manager has won three of his first five games since replacing Erik ten Hag.
Amorim, 39, is yet to get his Red Devils firing in the Premier League with only one win in four.
However, in Europe, he has overseen two wins from two games in charge of the team.
Manchester United beat Bodo/Glimt in the first Europa League clash with Amorim at the helm.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss also oversaw the comeback victory over Viktoria Plzen on Thrusday.
The two victories mean that Amorim boosts the same record as legendary managers Ferguson and Busby.
He has followed in their footsteps by winning his first two games in a major European competition as Man United manager.
Ferguson, 82, won his first four games in the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990.
His side beat Pecsi MFC and Wrexham over two-legged ties before being held to a 1-1 draw against Montpellier.
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Amorim will be planning on extending his run to match that of Ferguson.
His next games will be against the Rangers and the Romanian outfit FCSB before the end of the league phase in the Europa League.
Man Utd ratings vs Plzen as Hojlund and Amad spare Onana's blushes are horror show
ANDRE ONANA had his blushes spared by Rasmus Hojlund as Manchester United fought back to win against Viktoria Plzen.
Here’s how SunSport’s Henry Tomlinson rated the Red Devils stars…
Andre Onana – 4
It was a very shaky start to the game in which Onana hurt Casemiro and failed to deal with the host’s crosses convincingly.
He made a massive error that led to Plzen taking the lead with his poor pass, leaving his defenders with no chance of bailing him out.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Dalot made some decent runs forward to join in with the attacks.
Defensively was fairly solid and was not often caught out.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Playing a bit more central, Mazraoui used his pace well to help out at the back.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
He was sold short by Onana’s pass that led to the opener but otherwise was fine during the 90 minutes.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Made himself available when Man United got forward but struggled with the physicality of the Plzen attackers.
Tyrell Malacia – 6
He offered very little going forward in the wing-back role as he struggled to combine with Marcus Rashford.
Casemiro – 6
He moved the ball forward when he could and recovered from an early blow from Onana.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
He was lucky to have escaped an early yellow card. Stung the goalkeeper’s gloves in the first half with a good effort.
His quick thinking set up Rasmus Hojlund to fire in a late winner.
Amad Diallo – 8
Diallo was a rare bright spark in Man United’s attack against Plzen.
It was his run that led to the equaliser, and he used his pace and skill to get past his defender.
Marcus Rashford – 4
Rashford was often loose on the ball and surrendered possession in the attacking third.
He received the first booking of the game for a needless foul and was lucky not to be sent off in the second half before being hooked by Ruben Amorim.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6
Took on the centre-forward role well, held the ball up and linked up play well enough.
Subs
Rasmus Hojlund 55′ – 8
Hojlund showed his striker instincts by being in the right position to grab Man United’s equaliser.
He then latched onto Fernandes’ clever pass to score the winner.
Antony 60′ – 6
He was involved in the equaliser by linking up with Diallo.
Mason Mount 60′ – 7
Made a positive impact after coming on and was unlucky not to score as he was denied twice by the goalkeeper after coming into the action.
Alejandro Garnacho 80′ – N/A
Failed to make a positive impact on his short spell on the pitch.
Manuel Ugarte 80′ – N/A
He slotted into the midfield as he replaced Casemiro late on.
Meanwhile, Amorim will be hoping to improve Man United’s Premier League form this weekend.
Sunday will hand Amorim his first taste of the Manchester derby as the Red Devils boss.
Manchester City host Amorim’s side at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola will also be hoping for an upturn in form.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is currently going through his worst form as a coach at City.
City have only won once in their last ten games with their latest defeat coming against Juventus in the Champions League.
Speaking ahead of the derby Amorim has insisted he is only focused on problems closer to home.
He said: “I never think about these things.
“We will face a great opponent and I’m more focused on our problems.
“So we have a lot of issues here, so I’m more focused on what we should do on Sunday to win the game.
“So I’m really focused on my team.”
Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man Utd
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.