.
More than a year had passed since United’s previous victory, a narrow win against FC Copenhagen, until Amad’s double against the Greek champions. One was a looping header, the other a fine individual effort created and finished off himself.
Amad, now 22, has never quite established himself regularly since arriving in the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era for €25million from the talent factory of Atalanta. Loans at Rangers and Sunderland suggested he was at a crossroads of his United career.
Amorim arrives as head coach next week, and here is an opportunity to be an important part of the new regime. Amorim has worked with talents such as the highly-rated Geovany Quenda and Amad will be relishing showing the new man in charge what he is capable of.
“He’s a great character and a hard worker. He does extra work after training, constantly focused on working and getting better,” said caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
It has turned into quite a week for United, with Amorim masterminding a statement win against Manchester City in his final home game at Sporting Lisbon before heading to the Premier League.
It may have been on a lower-key stage but United have given glimpses under Van Nistelrooy that Amorim has something to work with. An example was Manuel Ugarte, a former Sporting player, showing a good range of passing. Amad was the star of this victory though, with his second-half goals getting Van Nistelrooy animated on the sidelines.
Van Nistelrooy has at least ended United’s six-match run without a win in European matches, the worst run since successive poor campaigns from 1980 to1983. Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce all earned draws against United this season, with their winless run dating back to Oct 2023.
It will be interesting to see how Amorim works with Rasmus …
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