Can Ruben Amorim get one over on Man City? – Champions League talking points

Future Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will take on Manchester City on match week four of the Champions League.

Elsewhere, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is poised to return to Anfield, while Aston Villa will attempt to retain top spot in the table.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main talking points ahead of the 18 midweek matches.

Glimpse into the future

Ruben Amorim’s announcement as the incoming Manchester United manager has added an interesting sub-plot to Manchester City’s trip to Sporting Lisbon. In one of his final matches before he moves to Old Trafford, Amorim has the chance to get one over his future rivals. Pep Guardiola’s side head to the Portuguese capital amid an injury crisis and seeking to bounce back from a Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham and Saturday’s surprise Premier League loss at Bournemouth. With Sporting director of football Hugo Viana set to begin the same role at City next season, there is no shortage of intrigue surrounding a tie between two sides with seven points from three games.

Another victory for high-flying Villa?

Aston Villa’s first campaign in European club football’s premier competition for 41 years could not have begun any better. Unai Emery’s men top the 36-team table following three rounds of the revamped competition, with victory over Bayern Munich the standout moment in their 100 per cent start. Villa head to Club Brugge on Wednesday bidding to maintain the momentum following a slight stutter on the domestic front. The 1982 European Cup winners surrendered a half-time lead to lose 4-1 at Tottenham on Sunday after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup at home to Crystal Palace on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

Alonso back at Anfield

Big night for Bayern

Bayern Munich remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga since the summer appointment of Vincent Kompany but have plenty to do in Europe. Their 1-0 round-two loss at Villa Park was followed by an emphatic 4-1 thrashing at Barcelona as Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick celebrated a memorable victory over their former employers. Having begun with a remarkable 9-2 drubbing of Dinamo Zagreb, six-time champions Bayern – spearheaded by England captain Harry Kane, who already has 17 goals for the season – will be eager to get back on track when Benfica visit Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening as the group stage reaches the halfway point.

Can Gunners fire again?