How to Understand Ruben Amorim’s Sacking at Man United

The End of the “Amorim Era” at Old Trafford

Manchester United’s ambitious experiment with Portuguese tactics has come to a sudden and messy end. On Monday, January 5, 2026, the club officially announced that Ruben Amorim has been relieved of his duties as head coach. This news broke just 14 months after he was hired with great fanfare to replace Erik ten Hag. Ruben Amorim

The decision came following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday. While the team sits sixth in the Premier League, the board decided that a change was necessary to save the season. Darren Fletcher has been named as the interim manager for the upcoming match against Burnley. This sacking marks a major failure for the INEOS leadership group in their first big managerial choice.

A Bitter Power Struggle Behind the Scenes

The primary reason for Amorim’s departure was not just about the scoreboards; it was about authority. Reports suggest that relations between Amorim and the director of football, Jason Wilcox, had reached a breaking point. Following the Leeds draw, Amorim gave a “spiky” press conference where he criticized the club’s recruitment department.

He told his colleagues to “do their job” and insisted he came to be a manager, not just a coach. This public outburst was seen as a direct attack on the INEOS hierarchy. Furthermore, Amorim reportedly felt that pundits like Gary Neville were having too much influence on board decisions. This breakdown in trust made it impossible for the two sides to work together any longer.

The Failure of the 3-4-3 System

Tactically, Amorim’s time at Old Trafford was defined by his stubbornness. He insisted on using a 3-4-3 formation, even when the squad did not have the right players for it. Many experts pointed out that United lacked the specialist wing-backs needed to make the system work.

Despite this, Amorim refused to switch to a more traditional four-man defense for most of his tenure. This “tactical rigidity” led to a series of clunky and inconsistent performances. During his 47 Premier League matches, the Red Devils finished with a negative goal difference. Many fans grew tired of seeing expensive stars struggling to fit into a system that felt forced and ineffective.

The Numbers Behind a Nightmare Reign

When you look at the statistics, it is easy to see why the board lost faith. Ruben Amorim leaves Manchester United with a win ratio of less than 39 percent. This is officially the worst record of any permanent United manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. During his first season, the team slumped to a historic 15th-place finish in the Premier League.

While results improved slightly in late 2025, the team still lost more games than they won in the calendar year. Averaging only 1.24 points per game, Amorim simply could not find the consistency required for a top-four finish. These dismal numbers made it very difficult for the owners to justify keeping him.

Heartbreak in the Europa League Final

One of the biggest “what if” moments of Amorim’s tenure came in May 2025. He successfully led Manchester United to the UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao. However, the match ended in an abject defeat to a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side. For many supporters, this was the moment the “honeymoon phase” ended.

Winning that trophy would have provided Amorim with the “political capital” to survive his poor league form. Instead, the loss left him vulnerable to criticism from both the board and the fans. Losing a major final in such a “shambolic” way became a dark shadow that he could never truly escape.

The January Transfer Window Clash

Tensions also exploded over the club’s plans for the January 2026 transfer window. Amorim believed he had been promised major signings to bolster his defense. Specifically, he wanted a new elite midfielder to act as the “engine” for his 3-4-3 system. However, the recruitment team, led by Christopher Vivell, was reluctant to spend big.

They feared that buying players specifically for Amorim’s unique system would be a waste if he was sacked later. Just days before his exit, Amorim told the media there were “no conversations” about changing the squad. This public disagreement showed that the manager and the board were living in two different worlds.

A “Manager” vs. a “Head Coach”

A major point of conflict was Amorim’s job title and role. When he was hired, his title was officially “Head Coach,” which was a first for Manchester United. This was part of the INEOS plan to have a more “corporate” structure where the manager doesn’t control everything. But Amorim never fully accepted this limited role.

In his final press conference, he shouted, “I came here to be the manager, not the coach!” This “identity crisis” caused friction every time the recruitment team suggested a player he didn’t want. He wanted the same power that Sir Alex Ferguson once had, but the modern club structure was built to prevent that.

Losing the Support of the Dressing Room

As results stayed poor, reports of “unrest” in the dressing room began to surface. Some senior players reportedly struggled with the high physical demands of Amorim’s wing-back system. Furthermore, the constant public criticism of the “backroom drama” made the players feel like they were caught in the middle.

While Amorim was a charismatic leader, his “my way or the highway” approach eventually wore thin. When a manager loses the “hearts and minds” of the players, a sacking is usually not far behind. By the time of the Leeds draw, the team looked like they had lost the “spark” that Amorim had brought during his first few months.

What Lies Ahead for Manchester United?

The focus now shifts to who will lead the “Red Devils” into the summer. For now, Darren Fletcher will steer the ship on an interim basis. He is expected to stay in charge until the end of the 2025-26 season while a global search begins. Early favorites for the permanent role include Xavi Hernandez and Thomas Tuchel.

The club’s leadership, including Omar Berrada, will be under intense pressure to get this next choice right. They cannot afford another “chaotic” period like the one Amorim has just left behind. The search for a manager who can finally bring stability to Old Trafford continues for the seventh time in 13 years. Ruben Amorim

A Lesson in Misalignment Ruben Amorim

In conclusion, Ruben Amorim was sacked because of a “perfect storm” of poor results and internal warfare. His stubbornness with the 3-4-3 system and his public fights with the board made his position untenable. While he arrived as a “tactical genius” from Sporting, he leaves as a cautionary tale of what happens when a coach and a club are not aligned.

Manchester United currently sits in a “familiar crossroads,” searching for a new identity once again. As 2026 begins, the fans are left wondering when the cycle of “sacking and rebuilding” will finally end. The “Amorim Era” will be remembered as a 14-month rollercoaster that ultimately went nowhere. Ruben Amorim

Read More Articles Click Here. Read Previous Articles Click Here.