Ruben Amorim, manager of Manchester United, has denied reports that he is in talks to join Manchester City. The 39-year-old will take command of his first Manchester derby on Sunday, after joining United from Sporting CP last month. During his time with the Lisbon giants, Amorim established himself as one of the most interesting young managers in European football, helping them win their first league title in 19 years in 2021. As a result, the Portuguese strategist was mentioned as a target for several major European clubs. West Ham held talks earlier this year, while Liverpool was linked with a move after Jurgen Klopp’s departure. Hugo Viana, who worked with Amorim at Sporting, was selected the replacement to Txiki Begiristain as City’s sporting

Hugo Viana, who previously worked with Amorim at Sporting, was appointed as Txiki Begiristain’s successor as City’s sporting director in October and was apparently interested in bringing him to the Etihad Stadium if Pep Guardiola left at the end of the current season.

Amorim, on the other hand, joined United soon after, while Guardiola extended his contract with City for another two years. The two will now face off again in Sunday’s Manchester derby, the first time since Amorim’s Sporting defeated City 4-1 in the Champions League last month. When asked about his relationship with City, Amorim stated, “I never had [conversations].” This was my only choice. “When Manchester United talked to me, I have no doubts because I already had something in my mind that it could be a possibility.” Amorim has announced that defender Jonny Evans has trained ahead of the derby, giving him almost a completely healthy team from which to select. Luke Shaw is the sole absentee.