Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias will be hoping that his side remain the dominant club in the city even during Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United.
After United’s latest 3-0 win against Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s spell as the club’s interim manager came to an end.
Meanwhile, Amorim has been pictured at the Trafford Training Centre as his time at the club has officially begun.
Ruben Dias will be wary of how much Ruben Amorim could improve Manchester United as well due to how he recently masterminded Sporting CP to thump his Manchester City side 4-1 in the Champions League.
The respect will be mutual, with Amorim praising Pep Guardiola by naming him as “the best coach in the world.”
All eyes will be on Manchester City’s clashes against Manchester United in December and in April — taking into account how the Portuguese tactician pulled off an incredible upset in October.
Ruben Dias admits he does not wish Ruben Amorim “too well”
During the games in question, the Red Devils will be desperate to make a statement under their new manager.
Pep Guardiola’s men will have revenge on their minds due to their disappointing defeat in Lisbon as well as their loss in the FA Cup final to their bitter rivals last season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Dias sent a message to Ruben Amorim after his appointment as Manchester United boss, saying: “I need to check if when I went to the first-team when I was a youngster, if he was still there [at Benfica]. We were close together at least.”
“I wish him well, not too well. It’s another Portuguese coming into the main stage of the football world so I’m happy for that.”
Ruben Amorim addressed an offer from Manchester City “crossed his mind” after Hugo Viana’s move to the Etihad Stadium but such was not the case as he ended up heading to Old Trafford.
More than a week ago, it was claimed that Manchester City were interested in Amorim but it seems like Pep Guardiola could be set to sign a new deal — ruling the 39-year-old for the job.
It was also reported in October that Manchester City reckon Guardiola will extend his contract until 2026.
What Bernardo Silva said about “rival” Man United manager Amorim
Bernardo Silva commented on Ruben Amorim’s move to Manchester United by sending a similar message to Dias on not wishing him the best of luck due to the fierce enmity between both clubs.
“In terms of him going to Man United, well, I don’t wish him very well as you can imagine because he’s going to be my rival but he deserves for what he got.”
However, Bernardo praised his countryman for his work at Sporting and admitted that he deserved one of the biggest jobs in world football.
“He deserves to be in one of the best clubs in the world right now because the work that he has done in the last years is unbelievable.”
As former Benfica players, both Bernardo and Dias will likely take the Manchester Derby even more seriously than they already do due to Amorim’s affiliation with the club’s rivals Sporting.
The pair’s messages indicate that they are already up for the battle.
It will be particularly interesting to see how the pair approach the forthcoming showdowns.
