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Ruben Amorim has been playing padel with Manchester City director of football, Hugo Viana. It comes mere months after the Portuguese manager was dismissed by Manchester United.

Amorim received his marching orders from the United board in January, around a-year-and-a-half following his appointment. The 41-year-old could only secure a 15th place Premier League finish during his inaugural campaign with the club, before struggling to make significant progress in 2025/26. Consequently, Michael Carrick has assumed the role of interim manager until season's end, succeeding in injecting fresh momentum into the club within such a brief period.

Currently, United occupy third in the Premier League table just six points behind second-placed City. While a league title remains virtually unattainable this campaign, considering table leaders Arsenal hold a 15-point advantage with just seven fixtures remaining, the Reds appear progressively confident of securing Champions League qualification for 2026/27.

Amorim, in the meantime, has remained unemployed since his departure at the year's end. Nevertheless, he has been spotted enjoying padel with Viana - an individual numerous United supporters regard as a sworn enemy given his position with fierce rivals, City. However, given that Amorim and Viana were colleagues at Braga and Sporting CP before joining their respective Manchester rivals, it comes as no great shock that the pair maintain an excellent friendship.

Photographed at Lisbon's Padel Expo club enjoying a match, Amorim smiled alongside Viana and Goncalo Oliveira. Posting the photograph, the club's official Instagram account stated: "We tried to contact you to strengthen our coaching staff, but it wasn't to be this time! Thank you very much for your visit Ruben Amorim and Hugo Viana, it was a pleasure to have you at Padel Expo."

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While Amorim has been savouring time off from football, Carrick has thrived in continuing where his predecessor departed. The Englishman has guided United to seven Premier League victories from his opening 10 fixtures in command, and has thrown his hat into the ring to assume permanent responsibility this summer.

Considering that Carrick is on a temporary contract, several more seasoned managers have also been mentioned in connection with the position at the conclusion of the present season. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been suggested as a potential arrival at Old Trafford for quite some time now, with the likelihood of such a scenario materialising being enhanced by the reality that the Austrian will depart Selhurst Park in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi, Andoni Iraola and Luis Enrique have also been linked with taking charge of the Reds for 2026/27. Should Carrick maintain his impressive form, there remains a possibility that the 44-year-old's contract with the club could be extended. Manchester United's next fixture is a Premier League encounter with Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13.