“Manchester City Faces Sporting Lisbon Amid Ruben Amorim’s Big Move to Manchester United”
Next week, Manchester City is set to head to Lisbon, where they’ll encounter a significant storyline: their potential future sporting director, Hugo Viana, is still employed at Sporting CP. But the spotlight will likely be on Sporting’s manager, Ruben Amorim, as rumors swirl around his expected move to Manchester United.
Reports indicate that Amorim may still be at the helm for Sporting during City’s visit for their Champions League clash. It’s believed he will officially take over at United during the November international break, which means he’ll be managing Sporting during his notice period, including the highly anticipated match against City.
As the reigning World Champions and 2023 European Champions, City may find themselves overshadowed by the drama surrounding Amorim and United. This scenario is all too familiar for City fans, who often encounter responses of “United?” when discussing their club while abroad.
While this narrative might irritate some Blues, it could actually work to their advantage. City is grappling with a significant injury crisis, and their squad is stretched thin ahead of the trip to Portugal. Historically, they have been favorites in such matches, having secured a dominant 5-0 victory on their last visit to Sporting. However, Pep Guardiola is acutely aware of the difficulties they faced in that match and knows that the scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the game’s intensity.
With Amorim likely preparing for what could be his last home match with Sporting, it adds an element of unpredictability that Guardiola won’t welcome. The upcoming game will draw attention not only for Amorim’s situation but also for Viana’s upcoming transition to City. There’s already speculation about whether Amorim might be a candidate to eventually succeed Guardiola, although that idea seems far-fetched. City seems keen to pursue a different managerial style, and Amorim’s preference for a three-at-the-back system might not align with their vision.
Despite the swirling rumors, Amorim remains focused on his current role. He mentioned that he spent Wednesday night analyzing City’s performance against Tottenham rather than keeping an eye on United’s victory over Leicester. As he navigates this transition, he’s expected to continue deflecting questions about United while keeping his sights set on City.
This match is poised to generate considerable interest, especially with the backdrop of Viana’s appointment. Should Amorim take charge at United, one of his first Premier League matches could be a derby against City, providing a critical opportunity to win over fans.
While City might not have been part of the conversation around Amorim initially, the fixture has thrust them into the mix. If the focus on United helps divert attention from City’s injury struggles, it could create a welcome distraction. For Amorim, the challenge will be to rise to the levels needed to succeed at United, lest he find himself following Erik ten Hag through the revolving door at Old Trafford.
