Ruben Amorim makes big Leeds United admission and what he's heard about Man United rivalry

Ruben Amorim has made a “big” Leeds United admission in revealing what he’s heard about the Manchester United rivalry ahead of his first proper taste of it in Sunday’s Premier League showdown at Elland Road.

Red Devils boss Amorim has now had 61 games in charge of the Red Devils since joining the club from Portuguese giants Sporting and a first competitive meeting against Roses rivals Leeds will finally present itself in Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road.

The two clubs did meet in a pre-season friendly in Stockholm in July but Sunday’s Premier League clash at Elland Road promises to be something altogether different and Amorim is braced for a “big” noise against a “big” rival.

The 40-year-old says the rivalry cannot really be compared to the Sporting versus Benfica battles but did highlight his team’s experience playing at Athletic Club (Bilbao) as something his players could draw on as they await the anicipated atmosphere inside Elland Road.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference and as quoted by Manchester United’s official website, Amorim was asked what he was expecting and said: “I heard it is a big derby and a great environment. A big rival.

“Every game in the Premier League is tough for us. I know that it means so much to the fans but we need to go there and try to win."

“A different culture. But the noise is going to be big”

Asked if he could equate anything from the Sporting rivalry against Benfica, Amorim declared: “It is different than ever.

“I never experienced this one unfortunately, the rivalry here, it's the same but just with different environments and a different culture. But the noise is going to be big.

“We just have to perform. It's hard to compare different cultures, different bodies, a different history. Let's just focus on the game that is 11 guys against 11 in the beginning and we will try to win.

“When you play for Manchester United, you need to be ready for everything. We have, and you guys have, the best league in the world, but every game now, and you see every week [there are] a lot of draws. You never control.

“We already experienced that. I know that that feeling is completely different.”

“You never understand what is going to happen in the end of that week. So it's going to be tough, but it's always tough nowadays in the Premier League."

Asked if he was confident that the club’s young players would be able to handle the atmosphere, Amorim said: “They have to. It's a game in a hostile environment, but they need to be ready.

“They need to experience that, but it's going to be hard for any player, even the guys with a lot of experience. But again, we already experienced that. At Bilbao last year, with the sound, so I know that that feeling is completely different. But they need to be ready."