Rúben Amorim sacked by Manchester United

Yet another example of how unforgiving the Premier League can be, as Rúben Amorim managed his final game for Manchester United on Sunday, a 1–1 draw against Leeds. The match saw American Brenden Aaronson score on the break with a tidy finish before Matheus Cunha equalized just three minutes later.

In a club statement, United announced that the leadership had “reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of achieving the highest possible Premier League finish.” Darren Fletcher will take charge of the side for Wednesday’s match against Burnley.

Amorim is the second Premier League manager to be sacked this year, following Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.

United’s revolving door

Manchester United have now sacked three managers in recent seasons: Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2021, Erik ten Hag in 2024, and now Rúben Amorim. While it’s true Amorim was going through a poor run of results, he was not alone. In fact, the only manager to lose more league games than Amorim (19) during this period was former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who lost 21.

Amorim’s United career

There were short spells that suggested progress. United showed fight in pegging back goal deficits, picked up results against the so-called “big boys,” reached a European final, and, most notably, Amorim won Premier League Manager of the Month in October.

Alongside these perhaps more “minor” achievements, there were some genuinely impressive results in 2025. United recorded a 2–0 win over a Sunderland side enjoying a captivating season and currently sitting eighth. Amorim’s team also beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in nearly a decade and dismantled a well-organized Brighton side 4–2.

The Portuguese manager led United to the Europa League final in Bilbao, where they ultimately lost to Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham. Still, sustained momentum never followed. Amorim’s best winning run was three matches, part of a five-game unbeaten streak, but it proved to be the exception rather than the rule.

The numbers tell the story

Under Amorim, Manchester United finished 15th last season with 42 points — their lowest total since relegation in 1973. They exited the FA Cup in the fifth round and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham, the same side that later beat them in the Europa League final. United now face a season without European football for the first time since 2014..

Progress Patience Playstyle

Progress can look like a European final, but at Manchester United, only silverware truly buys time. United fans watched their side lose the Europa League final to Villarreal in 2021 under Solskjær. Erik ten Hag delivered an FA Cup in 2024 and was still dismissed. Against that backdrop, what chance did Amorim realistically have?

A manager can only be given so much time to implement tactics, shape a squad, and deliver consistent results.

After the draw with Leeds, Amorim spoke about seeing himself as the “manager” of Manchester United, not just the “coach.” He wanted influence beyond the training ground — particularly over transfers — to recruit players suited to his preferred 3-4-3 system. Before the Leeds match, he openly discussed his inability to sign the profiles he needed and stated that United would need to spend “a lot of money” to compete.

What, or who’s next?

United invested £242 million into Amorim’s vision and have since moved on from key players, including Marcus Rashford (loan) and Alejandro Garnacho, who joined Chelsea. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been linked with the job, but according to The Independent, the club is leaning toward appointing a permanent head coach in the summer.

Regardless of who comes in next, they will have a tall mountain to climb. United fans and the club itself have always had high expectations. They are the biggest and most successful club in England, yet they have lost their identity over the past decade, particularly since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. Perhaps it is time to follow Arsenal’s blueprint, start from scratch, take the blows, and trust in a manager who knows and loves the club.