Manchester United have sacked head coach Ruben Amorim.
Sky Sports News understands that Amorim’s “emotional and inconsistent behavior” was a key factor in the decision, with his refusal to adapt and evolve his preferred 3-4-3 system leading to a breakdown in the head coach’s confidence.
Amorim had a scheduled meeting with Director of Football Jason Wilcox on Friday where the team’s tactical approach was discussed in detail. Sky Sports News reported that United’s leaders felt Mr Amorim’s reaction at that meeting was very negative and emotional.
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At his final press conference as manager, Amorim reiterated after the away game against Leeds that he had come to Man United as a manager, not a coach.
Mr Amorim was subsequently sacked following a meeting between Mr Wilcox and United CEO Omar Berrada on Monday morning.
United appear to have determined that Amorim’s position is no longer sustainable.
Amorim’s dismissal – further reading and detailed analysis
Amorim not surprised by dismissal
Meanwhile, Amorim is understood to be frustrated by what has happened, as he feels he lacks support from within the club’s hierarchy.
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Sky Sports News’ Gary Cotterill takes a closer look at Ruben Amorim’s ups and downs
Therefore, Amorim was not surprised by what happened and had foreseen it coming.
The former Sporting manager was optimistic that Man United, currently in sixth place, would finish within the Champions League places and that their form would improve with the return of players from their African Cup of Nations duties.
The 40-year-old has always given his honest opinion and revealed that he feels United need one or two experienced signings in the January transfer window, particularly an experienced Premier League striker.
He also felt that it was important to block out the noise, as Manchester United not only have one manager within the club, but also many managers outside the club.
Amorim hopes to resume his career soon and plans to stick to his principles.
Fletcher appointed as interim manager
Darren Fletcher will take charge of Manchester United vs. Burnley
Amorim will step down after 14 months in charge, with Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds his last game.
Amorim’s sacking was announced by Manchester United shortly after 10am on Monday.
In a statement, United confirmed: “The club’s leadership have reluctantly decided that now is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity to achieve the best results in the Premier League.”
Former Manchester United midfielder and current Under-18s manager Darren Fletcher has been appointed interim manager, with United’s next match at Burnley on Wednesday night being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Brighton in the FA Cup third round.
How Amorim’s public comments revealed the growing rift
Amorim joined Old Trafford in November 2024 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, which was due to expire in June 2027.
But in an apparently pointed message to Old Trafford bosses after Sunday’s draw with Leeds, he said he considered himself a manager.
“You find yourself receiving selective information about everything,” he said. “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United.”
The rant came just before Christmas after there were baffling suggestions in the media that the club had not received the support they had hoped for in the transfer market.
“If we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we feel it will cost a lot of money and time,” he said. “We’re starting to realize that’s not going to happen.”
Amorim then played in a back four for the first time in Manchester United’s win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, but was reverted to a back three for the disastrous 1-1 draw against Wolves.
Amorim leaves club with worst goalscoring rate of any Manchester manager during PL era
The frightening statistics that contributed to Amorim’s dismissal…
Amorim won just 24 of the 63 games he managed in all competitions, or 38.1 per cent, the worst winning percentage of any United manager since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, apart from Ralf Rangnick’s 37.9 per cent in half a season as caretaker manager. United have won 15 of their 47 Premier League games under Amorim, less than a third of their 19 defeats. His scoring average is 1.23 points. His performance per game is the worst of any United manager in the Premier League era. The next lowest is Rangnick with an average of 1.54. Amorim’s longest winning streak was just three games – against Rangers and FCSB in the Premier League in January, and against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in the Europa League – against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in October, losing just a third of his games overall, the worst record for a permanent manager at United since Frank O’Farrell in the early 1970s.
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Jamie O’Hara and Manchester United fan Adam Stott discuss who should replace Amorim at Fan Club
Manchester United’s next 5 games
Wednesday: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky Sports Sunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports 17 January: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports 25 January: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports February 1: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
Your thoughts on Amorim’s dismissal
tommy boy j98
When will the manager be fully supported and allowed to leave his name on the club? Firing and hiring managers every 18 months is a joke.
fill
Manchester United’s next manager has to be Eddie Howe. You have to look at the improvement and impact he has on the players.
Ori
Crazy decision by the Manchester United board. But it had to feel like it was coming. Nowadays, you can’t talk about upper management in that way.
big tedz
The question is who to get – who would want it? Amorim was not enough, stopped completely. But this board, Berrada, Wilcox and Jim also need to take responsibility for this mess.
steve united
I don’t understand our club anymore! Mikel Arteta was never good enough for Arsenal, but look what he’s doing now that he’s been given time! If they continue to follow the same pattern, they’ll start to lose faith that United will be back.
