Manchester United have sacked head coach Ruben Amorim.
Sky Sports News understands Amorim’s ’emotional and inconsistent behaviour’ was a key factor in the decision and a refusal to adapt and evolve his preferred 3-4-3 system led to a breakdown in confidence in the head coach.
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 has been told United’s bosses felt Amorim’s response at that meeting was very negative and emotional.
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In his final press conference in charge, Amorim was keen to reiterate he came to Man Utd to be a manager not a coach after their 1-1 draw away at Leeds
Amorim was subsequently dismissed following a Monday morning meeting with Wilcox and Omar Berrada, United’s chief executive.
United are understood to have concluded that Amorim’s position had become untenable.
Amorim sacked – more reading and in-depth analysis:
Amorim not surprised by dismissal
Amorim, meanwhile, is understood to feel he was not getting the backing of the club hierarchy and is frustrated by what has happened.
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Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill takes a closer look at Ruben Amorim’s ups and downs
The ex-Sporting boss was optimistic that Man Utd, who currently sit sixth, would finish in the Champions League places and their form would improve with the return of players from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Amorim felt United needed one or two experienced signings this January transfer window, in particular an experienced Premier League striker.
Fletcher to take interim charge
Darren Fletcher will take charge of Man Utd against Burnley
Amorim departs after 14 months in charge, with his final game the 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday.
Amorim’s dismissal was announced by Man Utd shortly after 10am on Monday.
In a statement, United confirmed “the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.”
Ex-Man Utd midfielder and current U18s coach Darren Fletcher will take interim charge, with United next in action at Burnley on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports.
Man Utd then return to Old Trafford on Sunday for an FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton.
How Amorim’s public comments revealed growing rift
Amorim was appointed at Old Trafford in November 2024 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, which was due to expire in June 2027.
But in an apparent pointed message to the Old Trafford hierarchy following Sunday’s draw at Leeds, he said he saw himself as manager.
“I notice that you receive selective information about everything,” he said. “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United.”
That outburst followed cryptic suggestions to the media just before Christmas that he had not received the backing he anticipated in the transfer market.
“I have the feeling if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time,” he said. “I’m starting to understand that is not going to happen.”
Amorim subsequently fielded a back four for the first time in Manchester United’s win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, but reverted to a back three for the dismal 1-1 draw against Wolves.
Amorim leaves with worst points percentage of any Man Utd boss in PL era
The damning stats that contributed to Amorim’s sacking…
- Amorim won only 24 of his 63 games in charge in all competitions, or 38.1 per cent, the worst rate of any United manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson aside from Ralf Rangnick’s 37.9 per cent in half a season as interim manager.
- United have won less than a third of their Premier League games under Amorim, 15 out of 47, compared to 19 defeats.
- His average of 1.23 points per game is the worst of any United manager in the Premier League era. Next lowest is Rangnick, who averaged 1.54.
- Amorim’s longest winning run was just three matches, set in Europa League fixtures against Rangers and FCSB either side of a Premier League clash with Fulham in January and matched against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in October
- Amorim lost exactly a third of his matches overall, the worst of any permanent United manager since Frank O’Farrell in the early 1970s.
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On Fan Club, Jamie O’Hara and Man Utd fan Adam Stott discuss who should replace Amorim
Man Utd’s next five fixtures
- Wednesday: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky Sports
- Sunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pm
- January 17: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- January 25: 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 sacking of Amorim
Tommyboyj98
When is a manager going to be backed fully and allowed to leave his stamp on the club? Sacking and hiring managers every 18 months is a joke!
Phil
The next Manchester United manager has to be Eddie Howe, you just need to look at the improvement and impact he has on players.
Oli
Crazy decision from the Man Utd board. Had to feel like it was coming, though. Can’t speak about the higher ups like that these days.
BigTez
Who to get is the issue – who would want it? Amorim was not good enough, full stop. But this board, Berrada, Wilcox and Jim also need to take responsibility for this shambles.
SteveUnited
I don’t understand our club anymore! Mikel Arteta was never good enough for Arsenal, now look what he’s doing given time! Starting to lose faith in United ever returning if we keep following the same patterns.
