Ally McCoist blasts Manchester City's defending but hails Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim after big Sporting win

React to this story

Manchester City were stunned by Sporting in the UEFA Champions League with incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim masterminding a 4-1 win over his soon-to-be rivals, and ending his time with Sporting on a high. Ally McCoist heaped praise on the next Red Devils boss after full-time. He also criticised Manchester City's "shocking" defending in the unexpected defeat.

Guardiola: Man City were not emotionally stable enough in Sporting loss

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ally McCoist was stunned by Manchester City's "shocking" defending as Ruben Amorim masterminded a surprise 4-1 win for Sporting in the Champions League.

The incoming Manchester United manager saw his side fall a goal behind in the fourth minute after a Phil Foden strike.

However, Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick and Maximiliano Araujo found the back of the net to wrap up a memorable night for the Portuguese giants.

Champions League

Tchouameni defends Alonso, says squad 'have to do a better job'

09/12/2025 at 15:18

Amorim was announced as Erik ten Hag's successor on November 1 and will take charge of the Red Devils on November 11, but McCoist believes he should be on the first flight to Manchester.

"If I was Manchester United I'd get him to the airport as quickly as possible," he said.

"They'll [Sporting Lisbon] put a blockade up, they won't let him go.

'That's so unlike him' - Haaland didn't 'look settled' as he misses key penalty

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Outstanding second half. I can't remember seeing Man City defend that poorly, the two challenges for the penalties were really poor, they looked all over the place.

"Really open to the counter, a team of City's stature defended. Shocking second-half and at times in the first half, I thought it was poor.

"You don't want to take anything away from Sporting.

"The big fella up front, dear me Gyokeres. He missed a chance in the first half, we think 'that could affect him?' because it was a really, really poor attempted finish.

"Did it? Not at all. Ends up walking away with the match ball.

"It's all about Sporting tonight, and it's difficult. We won't get carried away with Manchester City, but boy were they poor second half."

City ended the evening in sixth place in the league table, while Amorim departs Lisbon with his team in second.

The Premier League champions will now look to bounce back against Brighton on Saturday.

City 'in a bad moment' - Gallagher

Noel Gallagher joined the TNT Sports punditry team in Lisbon, and he insisted City should not be written off despite a poor performance.

"There's a lack of control in the middle of the pitch, there's a lack of organisation at the back," Gallagher said.

"Well look, some of that team have won four titles in a row, we've got the best manager in the world, we're in a bad moment but that's all it is.

"We've got to ride it out, stay in the competition, we'll get to the knockout stages then anything can happen but that's as bad as I've seen us play in a long long time."

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Transfers

Grealish available for £40m, Man Utd’s Mbeumo move stalls – Paper Round

07/07/2025 at 23:50

Club World Cup

Guardiola hails ‘best player in the world’ Rodri as City recapture fire

27/06/2025 at 11:00

Related Matches

Sporting CP

Manchester City