Ruben Amorim says Manchester United will “fight” for victory in Sunday’s clash with a struggling Manchester City as they try to reverse their shocking Premier League form.
The Portuguese is preparing for his first derby since arriving at Old Trafford last month, with both teams desperate for a win.
United, 13th in the table before this weekend’s fixtures, had won just once in four league games since Amorim joined the club.
Pep Guardiola’s City side have just one win from 10 games in all competitions but are still eight points clear of their English top-flight rivals.
United were buoyed by their 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzeň on Thursday but desperately need to turn around their league form – they have their lowest points total after 15 games since 1986.
“I always look forward to coaching Manchester United, especially in the derby, but we still have a lot to focus on,” United manager Amorim told MUTV.
“We are focused on improving day by day and we want to see different things.
“I think we did a good job in the first half against Arsenal (ultimate defeat 2-0), so we have that ability, we have the players to do it, and we will try to do it again and try to win the game.”
The former Sporting Lisbon coach said it was crucial to create a winning culture after United’s midweek Europa League win, which saw the team recover from a goal down thanks to two goals from Rasmus Hojlund.
“You don’t get carried away by winning – we should have won the match we had on Thursday – so now we have another match we have to win,” he said.
“We lost the other two in the Premier League (Arsenal and Nottingham Forest). We have to feel that we are winning these games and we will be ready.
“Of course we realize that we have a lot to improve. A lot of things are changing here, but we will fight for the match.
Manchester United have had a difficult time at the Etihad Stadium in recent years, losing 4-1, 6-3 and 3-1 after last winning at the stadium in March 2021.
Guardiola is going through his toughest period since taking over in 2016, but Amorim said he would not be distracted by City’s problems.
“I have huge respect for Manchester City, but my only focus is on Manchester United,” said the Portuguese, who lost 4-1 to City in his penultimate game as Sporting manager last month.
“We have so much to do here, in my opinion there is only (this).
“Of course we have to have a strategy, we have to understand the opponent, but my only focus is on Manchester United. We just want to improve and win games.
