Manchester United have brought Ruben Amorim’s time at Old Trafford to an end, just 14 months after he arrived with high hopes and big expectations.
The club confirmed on Monday that the Portuguese manager had been sacked, saying the decision was taken with reluctance but in the belief that a change was needed to give the team the best possible chance of finishing strongly in the Premier League. United thanked Amorim for his efforts and wished him well in the next chapter of his career.
For now, Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will step in to lead the team for Wednesday’s clash with Burnley.
United sit sixth in the Premier League after a frustrating 1–1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, a result that seemed to sum up the uneasy mood around the club. After the match, a visibly annoyed Amorim delivered a striking press conference, making it clear he saw himself as the manager — not just a coach — and openly calling on the scouting department and sporting director Jason Wilcox to “do their job.”
Behind the scenes, Amorim had hinted at growing frustration, particularly around transfer plans. While he initially avoided questions on the issue, he spoke more openly when asked whether he still had the board’s backing, insisting he would continue to do his job until the club decided otherwise.
Appointed in November 2024, Amorim’s spell at United was a mix of promise and disappointment. He led the team to the Europa League final in Bilbao last May, only to fall short against Tottenham Hotspur. Domestically, however, United struggled badly, finishing a lowly 15th in the Premier League last season.
His 14-month stay is the shortest by a permanent United manager since David Moyes was dismissed just eight months into his tenure in 2014. For a club that has not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s farewell season in 2013, Amorim’s exit is another reminder of how far United still are from the stability and success they once took for granted.
