Ruben Amorim could be offered an escape route from his Manchester United misery with one of his close friends in line to become vice-president at one of Europe's biggest clubs
09:08, 16 Sep 2025
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is under mounting pressure at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
Benfica could offer Ruben Amorim an escape route from his Manchester United misery.
The Portuguese giants have been keeping close tabs on Amorim's troubled situation at Old Trafford. And the leading candidate to become Benfica's next president travelled to Manchester last weekend to watch Amorim's side lose to Manchester City in the derby at the Etihad.
Joao Noronha Lopes has made no secret of his plans to take Amorim back to Benfica if he usurps Rui Costa in next month’s elections, and he is currently ahead in the polls.
Lopes was at the Etihad to witness United’s 3-0 loss to City. He was pictured with his vice-president Nuno Gomes - one of Amorim's best friends who played alongside him for Benfica and Portugal - and general director Pedro Ferreira.
The sighting came 24 hours after Gomes told Portuguese media that it is Amorim’s destiny to return to the Estadio da Luz, where he was a member of the club’s academy and spent nine years as a player.
Nuno Gomes
Nuno Gomes is a close friend of Ruben Amorim and is in line to become Benfica vice-president
Gomes was asked if their friendship would open the door to Amorim, a boyhood Benfica fan, taking over if Lopes wins the election. He said: "Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United, I can't answer that question. One thing I know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.
"Joao has already shown in recent years that he is capable of changing Benfica, to make it greater and different from what it has been in recent years."
Current Benfica boss Bruno Lage is not expected to remain charge when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
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The former Wolves boss could go even sooner if Lopes beats Costa and former president Luis Filipe Vieira in the elections on October 25.
The Lisbon millionaire has also stated his ambition to re-sign City star Bernardo Silva for Benfica.
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United insist Amorim still has the club's backing, despite the club's worst start to a season in more than three decades. But Amorim cast further doubt over his future by stating he would rather be sacked than change his team formation and footballing philosophies.