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.
Sky Sports News understands no decision has been made on appointing an interim for the rest of the season, followed by a permanent option in the summer.
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.
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 has 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 OctoberAmorim lost exactly a third of his matches overall, the worst of any permanent United manager since Frank O’Farrell in the early 1970s.
Amorim’s highs and lows this season
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Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill takes a closer look at Ruben Amorim’s ups and downs
August 17: Man Utd perform well but lose 1-0 to Arsenal in the opening game of the season.
August 27: Man Utd suffer a humiliating defeat at League Two side Grimsby in the Carabao Cup as Amorim is mocked for using a tactics board in the dugout.
September 19: Amorim says “not even the Pope” could make him change system after overseeing their worst league start in 33 years.
September 27: Pressure increases on Amorim as Man Utd are beaten 3-1 at Brentford, their third defeat in six league games.
October 8: Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he wants to give Amorim three years in charge to prove himself.
October 19: Harry Maguire heads in a late winner at rivals Liverpool to earn back-to-back wins.
November 24: Man Utd’s five-game unbeaten run ends with a 1-0 defeat at home to Everton as Amorim persists with a back three despite playing against 10 men for 75 minutes.
December 15: Gary Neville hails Man Utd’s performance in epic 4-4 draw at home to Bournemouth.
December 19: Kobbie Mainoo must “fight for his job, says Amorim, who hints at January transfers.
December 26: Man Utd finally change system as Amorim deploys a four-man defence in a 1-0 win over Newcastle.
December 29: Amorim says he couldn’t change formation sooner because of “media pressure”.
December 30: Amorim reverts to a back three in Man Utd’s next game, a 1-1 draw at home to rock-bottom Wolves, with Gary Neville saying the team has “gone backwards”.
January 4: Following their 1-1 draw at Leeds, Amorim claims that he joined Man Utd to be their manager, not their head coach.
January 5: Man Utd sack Amorim.
Man Utd’s next five fixtures
Wednesday: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky SportsSunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pmJanuary 17: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky SportsJanuary 25: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky SportsFebruary 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.
