RUBEN AMORIM could be offered an escape from his Manchester United misery by Benfica.
The leading candidate to become the next president of the Portuguese giants was at the Etihad on Sunday.
GettyRuben Amorim could be in line for a Benfica return[/caption]
Joao Noronha Lopes is convinced he can lure the 40-year-old back to his boyhood club if he takes charge.
He was joined by Amorim’s former team-mate and close pal Nuno Gomes, who is in line to become vice-president if Lopes takes charge.
The former Portugal striker spoke to media in his homeland over the weekend and said: “Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United so I can’t answer the questions.
“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.”
It comes as Amorim’s United players are losing faith in the boss following the 3-0 Manchester derby drubbing.
SunSport understands some of his players are not sold on the controversial three at the back system which Amorim insists on.
Amorim said afterwards he will not change his 3-4-2-1 formation – despite concerns it is not working.
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United have just four points from four league matches this season – their worst start to a Prem season since 1992 – and they also crashed out of the Carabao Cup to League Two Grimsby last month.
However, the club’s hierarchy are still behind the under-fire manager despite another disastrous day in the derby.
Old Trafford chiefs last night denied the squad had lost confidence in Amorim – and believe he still had the backing of the players.
They remain calm and behind the former Sporting Lisbon boss as well as being willing to give him time to get things right.
Part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pictured with his head in his hands during a difficult day at the Etihad.
The Ineos magnate sanctioned a £220million summer spending spree for Amorim over the summer.
And sacking him now would just mean another rebuild is needed.
Amorim has taken just 31 points from the 31 matches since taking charge at Old Trafford in mid-November – losing 16 of them.
That is the lowest points tally of any of the 17 clubs who have been in the top flight across both seasons.
They finished 15th last season and their Europa League final defeat to Spurs means there is no European football for only the second time since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Amorim knows the pressure will continue while the results are not coming.
He said: “It is not a record you should have at Manchester United. You have no idea what happened during these months – there are a lot of things.
“But I accept it and I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change it. If not you have to change the man.
“I believe in my way and I will play my way until I want to change.”
Man Utd ratings vs Man City: Mbeumo forces wonder save from Donnarumma but that’s as good as it gets
MANCHESTER UNITED’S miserable start to the season continued after they were brushed aside by neighbours Man City.
Ruben Amorim’s side were unable to come back with a bang after the international break, falling to a 3-0 away defeat.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for City after just 18 minutes with a glancing header that gave Altay Bayindir – keeping his spot despite the arrival on Ssnne Lammens – little chance to stop.
While Erling Haaland did what he does best by bagging a second-half brace to put the hosts out of reach.
United now sit 14th in the table, with City leapfrogging them with their second win of the season.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated each Man Utd players performance…
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