Ruben Amorim believes Man Utd lucky in previous Man City wins

With Sunday's clash at Old Trafford being one of the quieter Manchester derbies in recent years, Amorim is well aware that overcoming City for a third time will require more than just a lucky break.

This encounter arrives with Manchester United in 13th place in the Premier League, while City, who were once dominant in the league, are struggling to maintain their usual high standards. Despite their dip in form, they are still fighting for a Champions League spot, sitting in fifth, and Amorim's United will need to be sharp to overcome them once more.

Amorim's success against City has already been historic. He masterminded two of City's nine defeats in a 12-game stretch, with Sporting Lisbon's shock 4-1 victory in the Champions League back in November, followed by United's dramatic 2-1 comeback at the Etihad a month later. Reflecting on those wins, Amorim humbly pointed to luck as a key factor in both games.

"Honestly, luck played a role," Amorim confessed. "In the first match, we were fortunate - it could have been 4-0 at half-time, yet we ended up winning 4-1. In the second game, we were hanging in there until the last second. Manchester City controlled possession for the most part, but we stuck to our game plan and found a way to win. So, yes, I would say luck was on our side."

But Amorim knows that against a team like City, luck alone won't suffice for a third victory. When asked if more than luck is needed to beat them again, he responded with a knowing laugh, "Of course - the odds are lower this time. But we're working hard, and we're improving in certain areas. Results haven't always gone our way, but I can see the progress, and we'll carry that mindset into Sunday's game."

With the team preparing for a match that will differ greatly from their recent 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, Amorim remains focused on adapting his tactics to meet the challenge ahead. "We're preparing for a different kind of game, and we've been adjusting our approach. Our work is ongoing, but we're ready for what's to come."

As Amorim looks to extend his undefeated streak against Guardiola, he is determined not to leave anything to chance this time, preparing his side to fight for every inch of the pitch, knowing that even a little bit of luck can make all the difference. 

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