Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Man City's Bernardo Silva meet Sporting fans ahead of Champions League tie

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