Two of Manchester's biggest Portuguese stars were the main attraction on Wednesday afternoon as Sporting Lisbon fans arrived in the city ahead of Manchester City's Champions League fixture.
City face Sporting in their Champions League last-16 second leg, holding a 5-0 victory from the first leg in Portugal three weeks ago. Portuguese international Bernardo Silva scored twice, while Ruben Dias played a key role as the former Benfica players dealt their former big rivals a huge blow.
Now, though, Sporting fans have been seen embracing Bernardo as he took his dog for a walk before Wednesday night's game, while their former favourite Bruno Fernandes also made an effort to pose for photographs with visiting supporters after Manchester United training.
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United signed Fernandes from Sporting in 2020 for an initial £47m, while fellow Portuguese internationals Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot also play for the Reds.
Fernandes was seen with Sporting fans outside the Lowry Hotel who are looking for their team to complete a memorable turnaround at the Etihad tonight, before Bernardo came across them as he took dog 'John' for a walk around the city centre.
Bernardo admitted after the first leg that scoring twice was extra special given he is a supporter and former player of Sporting's bitter rivals Benfica, but the fans were happy to pose for photos with someone they will inevitably be jeering later in the evening.
Sporting fans may only be in Manchester for the trip, though, given City's big lead - and their manager Ruben Amorim says the odds are against his side.
"Looking at the players they have available, it is not easy at all," said Amorim. "They have a small squad, but one with great quality, with a lot of skill and that have had a lot of time to workshop."
Explaining what his side have got to do better in the second-leg, Amorim, who has been in charge of the Portuguese giants since March 2020, added: "We started the last match well and we managed to have the ball, despite the goal that we conceded.
"It would be beneficial for us to be able to press better — which is very difficult against Manchester City — and to have more of the ball.
"At Alvalade it was atypical, because when you are at a disadvantage it is very difficult to chase the ball. There are many challenges.
"We have to improve with and without the ball and manage the result better, which stimulates the players more during the game itself."
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