Manchester Derby: How the Friendship of the Top Managers of United and City Will Endure Rivalry.

The Friendship of Ruben Amorim and Hugo Vieira Will Withstand Any Disputes on the Field

According to The Sun: The friendship between Ruben Amorim and Hugo Vieira will remain unshakeable, regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s Manchester derby. Their wives, who are business partners, will see to that.

Manchester United's head coach, Amorim, and Manchester City’s director of football, Vieira, first met during a joint match in Braga in the 2012-13 season.

Instagram / pedrosepulvedaa Vieira's wife Raquel, left, and Amorim's wife Maria, right, are business partners

Today, their wives, Maria Joao Diogo and Raquel Gomes, are co-owners of the interior design firm Dois Tons. Therefore, both families often spend time together despite their husbands representing rival teams.

This weekend, both families are eagerly looking forward to the match against Manchester City that has been on the calendar for a long time.

They will go to the game at the Etihad Stadium as they are excited about the opportunity to meet.

Their acquaintance began 13 years ago when they spent four years together at Sporting. When Vieira was appointed to Manchester City, many thought Amorim might follow him, but he chose Manchester United instead.

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Although Vieira officially started working at City only this summer, he has long collaborated with Txiki Begiristain at the Etihad.

Their relationship has withstood all trials, even despite the competition. The families often get together for lunches in the suburbs of Manchester.

If one of the families travels back home, they always bring Portuguese delicacies for their friends. Vieira and Amorim also keep track of events in the Portuguese league, remaining loyal fans of their former clubs.

“It is an endless friendship – they have almost become part of each other's families. This bond will not change just because they work for rival teams.

“They respect each other's boundaries while working in different clubs. They always support each other in everyday life in Manchester.”

AFP Maria, left, and Raquel, right, are close friends and business partners

Their acquaintance took place back in Braga, and the connection was immediate, despite the difference in playing styles.

Vieira and Amorim, representing different Lisbon clubs – Vieira played for Benfica, while Amorim played for Sporting – always found common ground off the field.

Vieira even convinced Amorim to try his hand at coaching by starting to call him 'coach' back when they were playing on the team.

In 2020, he was the one who urged Sporting to pay £17 million in a release clause to bring his friend to the team.

This decision turned out to be successful, as they spent four fruitful years together at the José Alvalade Stadium. When Amorim received an offer from United, the first person to call and congratulate him was Vieira.

Vieira, a former Newcastle player, has become a great supportive friend for Amorim, especially in difficult times at the Theatre of Dreams.

But on the field this Sunday, each of them will take responsibility for their own team.

Amorim and his wife Maria have been married since 2013