Pressure is mounting at Old Trafford as Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim finds himself at the center of swirling speculation, both for his future in England and a potential return to his homeland. Following United’s stinging 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025, cracks have begun to show in both the team’s performance and the club’s unity. With United languishing in 14th place after just one win in their opening four Premier League matches, and an embarrassing EFL Cup exit at the hands of League Two’s Grimsby Town, the mood around the club is anything but buoyant.
Yet, amid the gloom, the story has taken a fascinating twist. Benfica, one of Portugal’s footballing giants, appear ready to pounce if Amorim’s tenure at United comes to a premature end. According to several sources, including The Daily Mail and The Times, a high-profile Benfica delegation was present at the Etihad on derby day. The group included Joao Noronha Lopes, the current frontrunner for Benfica’s upcoming presidential election, vice-president Nuno Gomes—Amorim’s close friend and former teammate—and general director Pedro Ferreira. Their presence was no coincidence, and it has fueled rampant speculation about Amorim’s next move.
Joao Noronha Lopes has been open about his ambitions for Benfica’s future. Leading in the polls ahead of the October 25, 2025 presidential elections, Lopes has made it clear: if he secures the presidency, he intends to bring Ruben Amorim back to the Estadio da Luz. Lopes’ vision is rooted in both nostalgia and strategy. Amorim, a product of Benfica’s academy and a nine-year veteran as a player for the club, has always been seen as a potential future manager. Nuno Gomes, speaking to Portuguese media just a day before the derby, echoed this sentiment, stating, “One thing I know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.”
The timing couldn’t be more intriguing. Current Benfica manager Bruno Lage’s contract runs until the end of the 2025-2026 season, but with Lopes’ intentions out in the open and Amorim’s situation at United growing more precarious, a change could come sooner. Some reports even suggest that Lage could be dismissed before his contract expires, should Amorim become available.
Back in Manchester, Amorim’s position is under intense scrutiny. The defeat to City was not just a loss—it was a humiliation that left fans and pundits alike questioning the direction of the club. United’s start to the season has been their worst in 33 years, a statistic that stings for a club with such a storied history. Despite this, United’s senior hierarchy, led by INEOS billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are still backing Amorim, at least for now. According to The Telegraph, United’s leadership believes that the poor results have masked some underlying improvements in the squad.
But not everyone at Old Trafford is convinced. Reports from The Sun and Daily Mail suggest that some players are losing faith in Amorim’s steadfast commitment to his 3-4-2-1 formation, a system he refuses to abandon despite mounting criticism. After the derby, Amorim was defiant, telling reporters, “I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man. Until I am here, I will do my best. The rest is not my decision.” It’s a bold stance, but one that could further isolate him from both his squad and the club’s decision-makers if results don’t turn around quickly.
For United, this is unfamiliar territory. The club has prided itself on stability and success, yet the current crisis has exposed deeper issues. The loss to Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup was a particular low point, with fans voicing their frustration at the club’s direction. While some argue that Amorim’s tactical philosophy needs time to take root, patience is in short supply when results are lacking and rivals are thriving.
Meanwhile, Benfica’s intentions are anything but subtle. Joao Noronha Lopes’ campaign is built on promises of rejuvenation and high-profile appointments. His public appearances with Nuno Gomes and Pedro Ferreira at the Etihad were a clear signal to both Benfica supporters and Amorim himself. Lopes has also expressed ambitions to re-sign Manchester City star Bernardo Silva for Benfica, underlining his desire to restore the club’s stature both domestically and in Europe.
The personal connection between Amorim and Benfica runs deep. A boyhood fan and academy graduate, Amorim’s bond with the club is well-documented. Nuno Gomes, who played alongside Amorim for both Benfica and Portugal, remains a trusted confidant and advocate. Gomes’ recent remarks have only added fuel to the speculation: “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.”
For now, Amorim remains at the helm at Old Trafford, but the pressure is unrelenting. United’s next fixtures will be crucial in determining his immediate future. Should results fail to improve, the club’s patience may run out, opening the door for Benfica to make their move. The prospect of Amorim returning to Lisbon, where he is still adored by fans, is tantalizing—especially with the club’s presidential elections looming.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on both Manchester and Lisbon. Will Amorim manage to weather the storm at United and turn things around, or will he be tempted by a homecoming to Benfica under a new regime? For now, the only certainty is that the football world will be watching closely, eager to see which direction this high-stakes saga will take next.
With the presidential vote at Benfica just weeks away and United’s fortunes hanging in the balance, the coming days promise plenty of drama. Whether Amorim stays to fight for his future at Old Trafford or returns to the club where his journey began, the impact will be felt across European football. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.
