I got lucky in previous wins over Manchester City, admits Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim feels fortune was on his side in previous meetings with Manchester City and knows Manchester United need to be more than “lucky” if he is to overcome Pep Guardiola for a third time this term.

Sunday’s Old Trafford clash is the most low-key derby in years, with the Red Devils 13th in the table and the previously all-conquering visitors fighting for a Champions League spot in fifth.

City won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row before struggling for coherency and consistency this season, with the nadir being a rotten end to 2024.

Amorim inflicted two of City’s nine defeats during a 12-game period, with November’s stunning 4-1 Champions League win with Sporting Lisbon followed by overseeing United’s 2-1 turnaround at the Etihad Stadium the following month.

“(Being) lucky,” the United coach said of the secret to those wins. “First game was so lucky. In the first half it could be 4-0 and we won 4-1.

“I prefer the second game. We just won in the last second of the game. I think they controlled a little bit more the possession, but we were there fighting with Manchester City.

“So, if I have to tell you one thing it was maybe luck.”

Asked if he needs more than luck to beat them a third time, Amorim said with a knowing laugh: “Yeah, of course – because the odds drop. But we are prepared for the game, we are improving in some aspects of our game.

“Sometimes the results are not there, but we are improving and I can see that, so let’s continue with that idea.

“We know that it is going to be a different game from Nottingham (Forest), so we have to adapt the way we play and we are working on that to be prepared for Sunday.”

United suffered a narrow 1-0 loss at high-flying Forest on Tuesday, when Leny Yoro,