After just 14 months in charge, Ruben Amorim has been sacked as manager of Manchester United.  His relationship with the club’s hierarchy has been strained for long periods and has come to a head after two disappointing results over the new year fixtures.

The outspoken Portuguese joined the Premier League giants in November 2024, becoming the sixth man to take permanent charge at Old Trafford since legendary boss Alex Ferguson left in May 2013.

None of Fergie’s replacements have been able to recreate the winning formula the Scot delivered during his 27 year tenure, which saw them win the title an incredible 13 times, as well as two Champions League successes and four FA Cups. 

Amorim spent £216m on new signings over the summer in an attempt to mould a side ready to challenge again for the top honours, but the 40-year-old leaves with United well off the pace in sixth position in the table.

Despite the huge outlay in transfer fees, Amorim was vocal with the media suggesting he felt he wasn’t fully backed in the transfer market.

All of Amorim’s coaching team have also left and it is understood that the club will look to appoint a caretaker boss for the remainder of the current season, before naming a permanent replacement for next season.

Former midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge on an interim basis for the next Premier League game and will apparently remain in the position until a caretaker manager is installed.

“Progressive” appointment

Manchester United had to pay Portuguese club Sporting 11m euros (around £9.25m) to trigger a release clause in his contract.

The belief was that it would be money well spent and hopes were high that this was the man to finally take the club back to its glory days.

They viewed his appointment as a progressive decision, bringing in someone who would work in a modern structure and develop a team capable of the type of football the fans demand.

Huge disappointment

However, the results were very poor and they ended last season 15th in the Premier League – their lowest top-flight finish since they were relegated from Division One in 1974.

They did reach the Europa League final back in May, but lost 1-0 against fellow premiership outfit Tottenham Hotspur, meaning that they missed out on a place in Europe for the first time since 2014-15.

Then in August they suffered the humiliation of losing at League Two side Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup, which really set the alarm bells ringing within the boardroom.

Patience had been called for

Nevertheless, United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was insistent that the club had the right man for the job and that Amorim would be given three years to “demonstrate he is a great coach” and reiterated that the club needed to be “patient”.

Just a matter of months later and that patience has run out with the club stating that there has not been sufficient evidence of evolution or progress this season under his leadership.

Fighting talk makes position untenable

It all came to a head firstly after the Red Devils were held 1-1 by Wolverhampton Wanderers – a side who up to that fixture had collected just 2 points from a possible 56.

Then a few days later after another disappointing draw away at Leeds, Amorim couldn’t resist aiming a dig at senior United figures, saying: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United not to be the coach of Manchester United; I know my name is not Tuchel, Mourinho or Conte but I’m the manager and it’s going to be like this for 18 months, or until the board decide to change. I am not going to quit, I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”

Short club statement

He didn’t have to wait long as less than 24 hours later, his departure was announced in a statement that continued: “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. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future.”

Could as big name be on way?

Amorim took charge of 47 Premier League matches winning just 15 of them. Early names being circulated as potential long-term replacements (without any significant clarification it should be added) are Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and very interestingly former England manager Gareth Southgate.