Ruben Amorim paid tribute to Kevin De Bruyne after the Star of Manchester City had announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season – and joked that the Belgian moved to the wrong side of the city.
De Bruyne plays on Sunday in his last Manchester Derby on Old Trafford after a decade in City.
Asked to give his opinion about the career of the 33-year-old in England, Amorim said: “That's easy, he was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The time passes for everyone, so it's something natural.
“He improved the competition. He was on the wrong side of Manchester! So I wish him good luck, it was a pleasure to see him often in Portugal. I hope he enjoys the rest of his life. '
United starts the 196th Manchester Derby eight places and 14 points behind their neighbors in the Premier League table. But Amorim was reluctant to be attracted to all comparisons with the Pep Guardiola team.
“I am more focused on our problems,” he added. 'I think we have bigger problems than Manchester City.
'They can play in different ways. It is really difficult to think about how they can face us. They may have the best coach in the world.
“They have top players, but I am so focused on my team and just try to understand how Manchester City is going to play.”
Amorim won his first Manchester Derby in December, but he was not dragged by it when he prepared himself for Sunday's return.
“I don't know, it's hard,” he said. 'Sometimes I am really happy with the little things. I don't see a victory as a special moment. Special moment is to be competitive to win titles. '
Comments