Amorim responds to link to City before he faces his first Manchester derby

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has emphatically denied talk linking him with Manchester City, saying that the Old Trafford hotseat was always his sole focus.

The Portuguese tactician, who was heavily linked with replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad earlier this year, has said he did not speak with the cross-city rivals.

"City? Never had [a conversation]," Amorim declared bluntly. "This was my only option.

"When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts. This was the challenge I craved."

Amorim's comments come ahead of his first Manchester derby this weekend, a clash against a City side reeling from a string of disappointing results.

Guardiola's men are facing a Champions League crisis, having suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Juventus in midweek.

"I can't live it like a normal derby," Amorim admitted, acknowledging the unique atmosphere of the fixture.

"It's not like that at the moment, both teams are struggling a bit, so it is just one more game against a very good opponent."

However, the Portuguese boss is wary of underestimating his rivals.

"The great teams can respond at any moment," he warned. "They are in a better place than us in terms of their understanding of the game, the way they play and the confidence they have - even in these kinds of moments."

Amorim, known for his attacking, high-pressing style, is facing a daunting task in rebuilding a United side that has fallen far below expectations.

The club has endured a period of instability, with a succession of managers failing to restore the glory days.

Amorim, however, believes he has the qualities to turn things around.

"We have a lot of issues here," he admitted frankly. "I'm more focused on what we should do on Sunday to win the game.

"We need to improve in many areas, both individually and collectively."

United secured a vital victory in the Europa League on Thursday, overcoming a shaky start to defeat Viktoria Plzen.

However, goalkeeper Andre Onana's error nearly cost them dearly. "We have to take it as it is," Amorim said of the incident.

"He's had a situation like this in the past so we have to work on this. We're trying to build up a lot with the goalkeeper, making the bounce [pass] with Matthijs [de Ligt] a lot of times.

"On this occasion, we had a disconnect during the play."

The win over Plzen provided a much-needed boost ahead of the derby, but Amorim knows the challenges facing his team are significant.

He faces a daunting task in rebuilding a United side that has fallen far below expectations.

The pressure is mounting on Amorim to deliver success at Old Trafford. The club's demanding fanbase expects nothing less than trophies, and the pressure to perform in the derby will be immense.

However, the Portuguese tactician appears unfazed by the challenge. "I thrive under pressure," he declared.

"This is what motivates me. I want to bring the glory days back to Manchester United."

This weekend's clash will be a crucial test for Amorim as he seeks to establish his authority and guide the club back to the top of English football.

A victory over their bitter rivals would not only boost morale but also send a powerful message to the rest of the league.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter. Can Amorim outsmart Guardiola and guide United to victory in his first Manchester derby?