Guardiola takes swipe at Man Utd after Amorim's Sporting Lisbon defea Man City 4-1 in Champions League

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Man City boss Pep Guardiola has aimed a swipe at Man Utd after being on the receiving end of a humbling defeat by incoming Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.

The Citizens took an early lead against Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade through Phil Foden before missing a host of other chances early on.

However, the game turned on its head when Viktor Gyokeres scored his first half of the match just before half-time to see the sides went in level at the interval.

Sporting scored two quick goals at the start of the second half through Maxi Araujo and a Gyokeres penalty to take control of the match.

Erling Haaland had a chance to get Man City back in the match but he hit the crossbar with his penalty before Gyokeres converted his second spot-kick of the evening to secure three Champions League group stage points for Sporting in a 4-1 win.

Amorim led Sporting to victory in one of his last matches before he leaves to manage Man Utd after he was confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor last week.

When asked before the match if it would be the start of an ‘epic battle’ between him and Amorim, Guardiola replied: “I don’t think so. From the outside, I don’t know him.

“But from the outside, he looks like a lovely guy. When I see him in the dugout, he behaves much, much better than me.

“Honestly, I am really pleased that he is coming to England to play [with] United. I think both clubs have a lot of respect in the hierarchy.”

His tone was slightly different after the match in Lisbon, reminding Man Utd fans that they will not face each other in Europe.

Guardiola told reporters: “We will face them two times in the Premier League and maybe the FA Cup. In the Champions League it is not possible.

“Then we will see. I learn from all managers I face. Ruben I think as well. But my concern is on getting us back to our best which we will try to do.”