Manchester United Part Ways with Ruben Amorim Amid On- and Off-Field Tensions

Manchester United have dismissed head coach Ruben Amorim, bringing a swift end to his brief and turbulent tenure at Old Trafford following growing concerns over performance, internal tensions, and a perceived lack of tactical progression.

The decision was confirmed in a club statement on Monday, with United stating that the change was made to “give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.” At the time of Amorim’s departure, the club sat sixth in the Premier League standings.

Ruben Amorim, 40, was appointed in November 2024 and became the first managerial hire following billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority stake in the club earlier that year. Ratcliffe initially purchased 27.7% of Manchester United from the Glazer family for $1.6 billion, later increasing his holding to 28.94% in December 2024, while assuming full control of football operations.

Despite arriving with a strong reputation and a clear tactical identity, Amorim struggled to translate his ideas into consistent results. Last season saw United finish 15th out of 20 teams — one of the worst league finishes in the club’s modern history — intensifying scrutiny on his position.

Behind the scenes, sources have indicated that Amorim’s relationship with the club’s hierarchy had become increasingly strained. According to rumours, the final straw came after an explosive meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox on Friday. Discussions reportedly centered on Amorim’s insistence on his preferred 3-4-3 system and concerns over how, or whether, the team’s style of play was evolving.

Following that meeting, Amorim faced a tense media briefing before leaving the club’s Carrington training ground shortly thereafter.

United sources have pushed back against the notion that Amorim was dismissed solely due to internal disagreements. Instead, the club maintains that the decision was driven primarily by what it described as insufficient signs of progress on the pitch, despite the team remaining in the upper half of the table.

Speaking publicly before his departure, Amorim hinted at frustrations regarding his authority and role within the club after a draw against Leeds United on Sunday.

“I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach,” Amorim said. “That is going to finish in 18 months, and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach.”

His comments were widely interpreted as a pointed message toward the club’s leadership, underscoring a disconnect between his expectations and the structure put in place under Ratcliffe’s revamped football operation. Since the takeover, United have appointed a new CEO and a new Director of Football as part of a broader organizational overhaul.

Despite the managerial upheaval, Manchester United’s stock, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, was largely unaffected, rising around 0.1% in premarket trading as of 7 a.m. ET.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been named interim head coach and will take charge of the team for Wednesday’s Premier League fixture against Burnley as the club begins its search for a long-term replacement.

Amorim’s departure highlights the mounting pressure at Old Trafford to deliver both results and a clear footballing identity — a challenge that continues to test even the most highly regarded managers in the modern game.