Ruben Amorim is at a tricky spot in his Manchester United tenure, as the Portuguese manager has seen another defeat under his leadership, this time in the Manchester derby as Manchester City won 3-0.
The occasion marked Amorim’s 20th loss as United manager, having won 18 and drawn 9, however, in the Premier League his tally is significantly worse, with eight wins, seven draws and 16 losses.
Unfortunately, Amorim seems set on remaining with his 3-4-3 playstyle, which is yet to deliver results, and whilst the Manchester United hierarchy are determined to stand by their manager, seeing him as a long-term solution, pressure is mounting for the former Sporting CP manager to deliver results.
However, Amorim could have another option available to him, as a return to Portugal could be on the cards.
The Daily Mail has reported that Benfica’s potential incoming president, Joao Noronha Lopes, wants to make Amorim the manager of Benfica if he is elected to take over from Rui Costa next month.
Lopes and his vice-president, Nuno Gomes, attended the Etihad to witness the Manchester derby first hand as well as the club’s general director Pedro Ferreira.
The day before, Gomes told Portuguese media that he believed it was destiny for Ruben Amorim to return to his former academy side as manager, especially with Amorim being a huge Benfica fan.
Ruben Amorim started in the Benfica youth academy; however transferred to Pontinha youth when he was 13, before seeing out the rest of his youth development with Belenenses.
However, in 200,8 he returned to Benfica for the rest of his career, barring some loan spells with SC Braga and AL-Wakrah SC, making 153 appearances for the Portuguese side across midfield and right-back, even grabbing six goals and 14 assists, winning three league titles and eight domestic cups.
As such, the opportunity to return to his boyhood club could be a real lure, however, at this time Ruben Amorim’s feelings are unknown.
