Meet Geovany Quenda: Ruben Amorim's sporting prodigy adored by Man Utd and Man City

Ruben Amorim has promoted an exciting prospect to Sporting's first team this season and both Manchester clubs are taking note.

Already a scorer in the Portuguese elite, Geovany Quenda set a new sporting record in October by opening his tally at 17 years, five months and 27 days, surpassing Portuguese legend Simao and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Amorim's impending move to Manchester United has raised questions over Quenda's future. The outgoing Sporting manager has made no secret of his admiration for the youngster, and although the final say on transfers to Old Trafford will rest with sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, Express sport understands that they are just as attached to the player.

Manchester City are also tracking Quenda, and with sporting chief Hugo Viana set to become the Blues' new sporting director at the end of the season, a direct battle could ensue between him and his current right-hand man in Portugal, Amorim.

Quenda will have the opportunity to show both Manchester clubs what he is made of in a Champions League clash with City this evening (Tuesday).

The Portugal Under-21 international signed a contract extension in September which runs until 2027 and includes an £84million release clause. Sporting would likely agree to a slightly lower fee, although senior club officials feel Quenda will one day live up to that valuation.

With the hype going on, who exactly is the player turning heads in Portugal?

Meet Geovany Quenda

Born in 2007, Benfica were the first major club to recognize Quenda's talent before signing him in 2017. Sporting arrived two years later and he quickly progressed through their youth system.

Now a full member of the senior team, Quenda has started eight of Sporting's 10 LaLiga Portugal matches so far this campaign, coming on as a substitute in the other two and scoring one goal in total. He also participated in all three Champions League matches.

A natural left-hander playing on the opposite flank, Quenda has primarily played as a right midfielder in a 3-4-3 this campaign, regularly interchanging with Francisco Trincao in front of him. He can also play on the forward line.

United chiefs will likely look fondly on Quenda playing such a specialist role if Amorim sticks to this formation at Old Trafford.

Driving defenders down the right and cutting inside on his strong foot, Quenda is no different from Bukayo Saka in the way he runs and dribbles. It also retains the rawness that comes from being a bright-eyed 17-year-old in the midst of a big breakthrough.

This was evident against PSV Eindhoven last month, when Quenda delighted fans with an eye-catching display filled to the brim with neat touches and nutmeg. His defensive work has also improved by leaps and bounds, which bodes well for teams keen to defend from the front.

Quenda is expected to finish the season at Sporting, but the lure of the Premier League is still strong, as has proven for Amorim, and playing in England is seen as one of the winger's future ambitions.

Bernardo Silva is one of the most prominent stars to have sung the praises of Quenda. “He'll probably steal my place [in the Portugal side]”, said the City playmaker. “At 17, I wasn't even playing for Benfica's youth team.”

And Amorim, who gave Quenda her big break, also has a lot of good things to say. “He’s a very talented kid,” the 39-year-old said. “Very physically robust, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That's very important for a young player. He had his chance and there was no chance of taking it away from him, without a doubt, nothing. I think he's going to be a great player, but let's give him time.”