Ruben Amorim pays tribute to Kevin De Bruyne after Man City great confirmed he will leave in the summer as Man United boss credits midfielder for 'improving the league'

Ruben Amorim has paid tribute to Kevin de Bruyne aft the Manchester City prima announced that helium volition permission the nine astatine the extremity of the play – and joked that the Belgian moved to the incorrect broadside of town.

De Bruyne volition play successful his past Manchester derby astatine Old Trafford connected Sunday aft a decennary astatine City. 

Asked to springiness his presumption connected the 33-year-old’s vocation successful England, Amorim said: ‘That is easy, helium was 1 of the champion midfielders successful the Premier League. The clip passes for everyone, truthful it is simply a earthy thing.

‘He improved the league. He was connected the incorrect broadside of Manchester! So I privation him bully luck, it was a pleasance to spot him successful Portugal a batch of times. I anticipation helium enjoys the remainder of his life.’

United footwear disconnected the 196th Manchester derby 8 places and 14 points down their neighbours successful the Premier League table. But Amorim was reluctant to beryllium drawn connected immoderate comparisons with Pep Guardiola’s team.

‘I americium much focused connected our problems,’ helium added. ‘I deliberation we person bigger problems than Manchester City. 

'They tin play successful antithetic ways. It is truly hard to deliberation however they tin look us. They person possibly the champion manager successful the world. 

'They person apical players but I americium truthful focused connected my team, conscionable trying to recognize however Manchester City are going to play.’

Amorim won his archetypal Manchester derby successful December but helium wasn’t getting carried distant by that arsenic helium prepared for Sunday’s return.

‘I don’t know, it’s hard,’ helium said. ‘Sometimes I americium truly blessed with the tiny things. I don’t spot 1 triumph arsenic a peculiar moment. Special infinitesimal is to beryllium competitive, to triumph titles.’