Man City boss Pep Guardiola sets clear Ruben Amorim challenge ahead of Man United arrival

Pep Guardiola spoke highly of incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim but admits being unsure whether the Reds will be better than Manchester City in the future.

Amorim had the perfect send-off for Sporting CP in their 4-1 triumph over City in the Champions League on Tuesday night. It was the 39-year-old's final home game in charge at the Jose Alvalade, with Viktor Gyokeres netting a hat-trick and Erling Haaland missing a penalty.

Phil Foden scored the opening goal for the visitors and Gyokeres put matters level shortly before the break. After a strong start from City, it all came crushing down just seconds into the second half as Maximiliano Araujo scored Sporting's second.

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Guardiola's side trailed 3-1 before the 50th minute when Gyokeres made no mistake from the penalty spot. Guardiola will face Amorim once again on December 15, but this time, the Portuguese boss will be in charge of United.

Asked about whether he believes Amorim will bring challenges to his team, Guardiola said: "Yes, we'll have to face him. We learn from all the coaches we faced, Ruben has been doing well but let's see what he can do to get them back to what they were.

"I don't know if it will be better than us, we'll have to wait. What will happen in the coming years, only United can answer."

Meanwhile, Amorim admitted the Spaniard is miles ahead of him in his managerial career and even in previous meetings. "We had the game here two years ago, it was 5-1 [to City]," Amorim said.

"He's in front of the battle and so much better than me at the moment but I believe a lot in my newest club and we will start from a low level, maybe, I can say that, and we will improve the team, the club, so let's see."