Manchester United fans were eagerly following Sporting CP's 4-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester City in the Champions League.

United fans were not only enjoying the misfortunes of their neighbours in Lisbon, but also naturally focused on one man: Ruben Amorim, who will take charge of Old Trafford next week, but another person also captured their attention.

Since joining, the Portuguese Super League champions have often relied on striker Victor Gijoch, who became the second Swedish player after Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.

Before tonight's game, former Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart specifically called him "an upgraded version of Haaland". This statement has attracted a lot of attention, and depending on the performance of this game, it may make some people seriously consider this comparison.

Van der Vaart made this statement after Gijoch scored a hat-trick against Estrella, bringing his total goal tally to 20 in 16 appearances in all competitions, 16 of which came in the league.

He told Ziggo Sport: "It sounds crazy but I think he's better than Haaland. Haaland is incredible but Giroux is better, or different."

City flew into Portugal after a string of defeats knowing what they were up against and even though Phil Foden put the visitors ahead just four minutes into the game, Giroux did not disappoint.

The former Coventry City man equalised minutes before the second half before Maximiliano Araújo put Sporting ahead seconds into the second half. As the English champions gasped, Giroux struck again but from 12 yards, something Haaland had failed to replicate just after the hour, with his shot hitting the crossbar.

It could have been a crucial moment if it had gone in, but Sporting took advantage. Giroux completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to cap a miserable night for their opponents. In doing so, he became the first Sporting CP player to score a hat-trick in the European Cup since Antonio Oliveira against Dinamo Zagreb in 1982.

Gijoux has contributed six goals for Sporting CP in four Champions League appearances this season (five goals, one assist), tying him for the most goals by a Sporting CP player in a single season with Nani (a name familiar to Manchester United fans) in 2014-15 (four goals, two assists).

If that wasn't impressive enough, he has been directly involved in 13 goals in 13 appearances for Sporting CP in European competitions (ten goals, three assists) and has scored in all five of his European starts at the Estadio José Alvalade (seven goals).

AC Milan and Ajax legend Marco van Basten added: "In my opinion, he is a real footballer. A real striker who is strong, scores easily and remains calm in front of the goal. He also has the ability to get around the goalkeeper, which makes him a very good striker. I really like to watch him play."

Since his transfer in the summer of 2023, he has scored 66 goals in 67 games for Sporting CP. It remains uncertain whether the 26-year-old will follow Amorim to Manchester United. However, the Portuguese coach recently stated that they will not pursue the player during the January transfer window.

He told reporters: "Gijoux is worth 100 million euros (83.7 million pounds), which is very difficult. I will not take any Sporting CP players in January."

As for Manchester City, as mentioned, Guardiola and his team have just been through a week of hell. First, Tottenham Hotspur knocked them out of the English League Cup, marking their first defeat of the 2024/25 season. Then, Bournemouth ended Manchester City's club unbeaten run in the Premier League. Now, Sporting CP has broken City's unbeaten run in Champions League history, setting a new record.

To put it in some perspective, it's the first time they've lost three games in a row in all competitions since May-August 2021, and in the same season, it's the first time since April 2018.