Ruben Amorim has paid tribute to Kevin de Bruyne after the Manchester City star announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season – and joked that the Belgian moved to the wrong side of town.
De Bruyne will play in his last Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday after a decade at City.
Asked to give his view on the 33-year-old’s career in England, Amorim said: ‘That is easy, he was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The time passes for everyone, so it is a natural thing.
‘He improved the league. He was on the wrong side of Manchester! So I wish him good luck, it was a pleasure to see him in Portugal a lot of times. I hope he enjoys the rest of his life.’
United kick off the 196th Manchester derby eight places and 14 points behind their neighbours in the Premier League table. But Amorim was reluctant to be drawn on any comparisons with Pep Guardiola’s team.
‘I am more focused on our problems,’ he added. ‘I think we have bigger problems than Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim has paid tribute to Kevin de Bruyne following Friday’s announcement
De Bruyne confirmed on social media that he will be leaving Man City in the summer
United boss Amorim labelled De Bruyne one of the best Premier League midfielders
‘They can play in different ways. It is really hard to think how they can face us. They have maybe the best coach in the world.
‘They have top players but I am so focused on my team, just trying to understand how Manchester City are going to play.’
Amorim won his first Manchester derby in December but he wasn’t getting carried away by that as he prepared for Sunday’s return.
‘I don’t know, it’s hard,’ he said. ‘Sometimes I am really happy with the small things. I don’t see one win as a special moment. Special moment is to be competitive, to win titles.’
