“Man City is his club” – Ruben Amorim comments on rivalry with close friend Hugo Viana ahead of Manchester United move | OneFootball

Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has commented on a pending new rivalry with close friend Hugo Viana, who is becoming City’s new sporting director.

The 39-year-old manager has finalised an agreement with Old Trafford officials to become the new head coach of Manchester United from next week, succeeding Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s dismissal from the position late last month.

As for Hugo Viana – the current Director of Football at Sporting CP and close friend of Amorim – the 41-year-old has been selected by Manchester City as their go-to name to succeed the exemplary work achieved by Txiki Begiristain over the last 12 seasons.

The Portuguese duo have not only built and maintained a special relationship off the pitch during their time as colleagues at Sporting CP, but also rebuilt the Lisbon giants to winning two top-flight titles in Portugal over the last four seasons.

But ahead of their respective moves to Manchester City and Manchester United, it is Ruben Amorim who has been the first to comment on their friendship with regards to the rivalry that will ensue in the north-west city in England.

Speaking during a new interview with TNT Sports this week, Amorim has been quizzed on himself and his close friend following their stellar work at Sporting CP, as both men join either side of Manchester in the coming weeks and months.

“Of course, we will be friends until the end, but I have my way and I chose Manchester United,” said Amorim.

“Manchester United is my club, Manchester City is his club, so it’s going to be fun and I hope to help Manchester United to improve and he will do the same – it’s hard to improve in Manchester City at the moment!”

He continued, “But I chose my path, and my path is Manchester United.”

For now it remains to be seen whether Manchester City will have to go undergo their own managerial change, with club officials including Hugo Viana nervously awaiting a decision from Pep Guardiola on his own future.

The Catalan coach is into the final few months of his existing Manchester City contract, which was renewed in the Autumn of 2022 en route to the club winning a historic treble including the UEFA Champions League.

Should Guardiola opt to bring an end to his time with Manchester City, just weeks before entering into a 10th season with the club, then the Premier League champions are likely to consider Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso as a possible successor in the Etihad dugout.