Man City coach Pep Guardiola has advised Ruben Amorim to do one thing if he really want to win Europa League this season.

As the UEFA Europa League approaches its critical stages, Pep Guardiola has stirred conversation by naming Manchester United as the front-runners for the title — while also offering a piece of strategic advice aimed at Sporting Lisbon’s coach, Ruben Amorim. During a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s weekend match, Guardiola didn’t shy away from praising United’s chances but pointed out a single tactical shift Amorim must make if his team hopes to derail United’s European campaign.

According to the City boss, Amorim cannot afford to stick with his usual style of cautious, possession-based football should Sporting face United. Instead, Guardiola suggested that Amorim will need to break from tradition and go all-in with a high-energy, high-pressing approach. He emphasized that giving Manchester United’s creative players too much time on the ball — particularly the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford — would be a costly mistake.

Guardiola warned that a passive approach plays right into United’s strengths, as the Red Devils excel when allowed to dictate play and strike on the counter. To combat that, he insisted that Sporting must press aggressively, disrupt transitions, and take bold tactical risks. He described the Europa League knockout rounds as moments where playing it safe won’t deliver silverware and stressed that courage and disruption are key if anyone hopes to stop Erik ten Hag’s side.

Despite his praise for Amorim’s work at Sporting Lisbon, Guardiola made it clear that this might be one of those occasions where abandoning the familiar is necessary. His remarks have since sparked debate among pundits and supporters alike, with many wondering whether Amorim will stick to his proven methods or take Guardiola’s unsolicited advice to heart.

Regardless of how things unfold, Guardiola’s comments have added an extra layer of intrigue to a potential United vs. Sporting clash. Whether it’s genuine tactical insight or subtle mind games, the Europa League now has an added subplot that fans will be watching closely.