Latest Manchester United news as the Portuguese media make a major claim about Ruben Amorim following Sunday's defeat to Manchester City
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is under pressure at Manchester United
(Image: Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim's future has come under the spotlight once again following Manchester United's 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City, with a club familiar to him reportedly considering the Portuguese as their next manager
The result confirmed United's worst start to a season since 1992/93. Their only victory so far has come against Burnley, having lost to Arsenal on the opening day and drawn with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Portuguese manager has now only won eight of his 31 league games in charge. "Guys, I understand that and I accept," Amorim said on his record in charge. "It is not a record you should have in Manchester United. There are a lot of things - you have no idea what happened during these months - but I accept that. I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.
"My message is that I am going to give everything. I will do everything, always thinking about what is best for the club. That was always the same message. It is not my decision, the rest (on whether United change manager). Until I am here, I will do my best. I really want to win games. I am suffering more than them."
United face another stern test when they play Chelsea at home on Saturday (5:30pm). Reds icon Gary Neville has suggested that questions will be asked if they fall to another defeat.
However, in his homeland Amorim is widely regarded as one of the game's top managers, having restored Sporting Clube de Portugal's European status and ended their Liga Portugal title drought of almost 20 years before succeeding Erik ten Hag at United.
Now, Sporting's rivals Benfica are reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation in Manchester.
Benfica are set to hold elections for a new president next month and one of the candidates, Joao Noronha Lopes, reportedly already has Amorim on his list of potential managers. Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims Lopes and former Portugal international Nuno Gomes, who is running for vice-president, were at the Etihad Stadium because of this.
According to the newspaper, Gomes was asked during his campaign in Evora whether Amorim might become Benfica's new coach and he is believed to have suggested that it was possible. A Bola also notes that Noronha Lopes confirmed he has a contract ready for Manchester City star Bernardo Silva in an attempt to bring him back to Estadio da Luz.
Silva came through Benfica's academy and spent 13 years in Lisbon before joining Monaco on a permanent transfer in 2015.
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