Manchester City will travel to the club where their next sporting director is still employed next week, and they will do so without a whole host of their injured stars.
But all the attention next week in Lisbon will be firmly on Sporting manager Ruben Amorim and his expected move to Manchester United.
There is every chance Amorim will still be in charge at Sporting for City's Champions League visit - it is widely reported that he will only take over from Erik ten Hag at United during the November international break, leaving him to serve a notice period including the clash with City. ALSO READ: Manu Akanji hands Man City major injury boost after missing Tottenham win ALSO READ: I saw Man City player offer Pep Guardiola wildcard solution to solve injury problems vs Bournemouth So when the Blues take a slice of Mancunia to Lisbon next week as reigning World Champions and 2023 European Champions, they may be bumped down to the second biggest story from Manchester.
It's a feeling City fans will be firmly used to when travelling abroad and mentioning their hometown, only to be met with the reply: '"United?" While it may jar with a few Blues, the distraction could benefit them.