Ruben Amorim has become the latest victim at the Theatre of broken Dreams.
Fourteen months ago he arrived at Old Trafford, determined to do things his way. His way ultimately cost him and sparks the sort of reset United’s hierarchy had hoped was now a thing of the past.
A miserable win percentage of 38.71 means the former Sporting CP boss had very little credit in the bank. He placed his head firmly on the block himself with his comments that followed Sunday’s defeat, drawing attention to a tense power struggle at play between him and director of football Jason Wilcox.
It leaves INEOS overseeing another managerial change – their second in less than two years.
Former midfielder Darren Fletcher is set to step in as interim boss ahead of Wednesday’s game against Burnley. His sons Jack and Tyler have been included in the matchday squad in recent weeks, opening the door for them to play in a side managed by their father against the Clarets.
It would be nice story and one that might momentarily lift some of the gloom around the club but there is little time for sentiment – United must act quickly. How long Fletcher will be in place for does not appear to have been decided at this stage but there are early suggestions United’s next permanent head coach appointment may wait until the summer.
Oliver Glasner is among the leading candidates with the Crystal Palace boss out of contract in south east London at the end of the 2025-26 season. Andoni Iraola is in a similar position at Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca is one available option following his Chelsea exit – a situation that bears a few similarities to the one that has unfolded at Old Trafford over the last 24 hours. Roberto De Zerbi and Eddie Howe are also among the names linked alongside Gareth Southgate, a name perennially in the frame.
INEOS demonstrated in November last year they are prepared to move quickly to get their man – and apply pressure to make it happen. During those talks 14 months ago, Amorim’s preference was to see out the 2024-25 season with Sporting before heading to Manchester in the summer. It was made clear to him the offer couldn’t wait.
Despite some desperately poor form, United currently occupy sixth spot, two points off the top four and still firmly in contention for Champions League qualification. When sides around them return to European action, United have the opportunity to reap the benefits of a lighter schedule – with the right man at the helm.
United have huge faith in Fletcher after his work behind the scenes and at Under-18 level and may feel he is the right man to navigate that path. But standing still in times of strife has been damaging in the past.
Amorim deserved the sack – but has he gone for the wrong reason?
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The list of records United have broken in mediocrity has lengthened under Amorim whose relentless devotion to a 3-4-3 formation was one of the biggest factors behind his exit. But United knew this and supported this when they decided to bring him to the club last year.
It was also the newly assembled football hierarchy of Wilcox, chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth that gave Erik ten Hag a new contract in July 2024. The Dutchman was gone less than four months later despite the club sanctioning a summer of big spending that saw Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee arriving for combined fees of more than £180milliion. Ashworth, after considerable effort to get him in place in Manchester, followed him out the door a month later.
The rot at United has come from the top for years and while it is difficult to make a case for Amorim staying on in the long-term, it has been a difficult situation.
The growing tension between Amorim and Wilcox was a driving factor in Monday’s decision with disagreement over the club’s strategy in the January transfer window also a bone of contention.
Amorim made it clear on Christmas Eve that in order to bring the best out of his 3-4-3 formation the club need to ‘spend a lot of money’, tellingly adding ‘I am starting to understand that is not going to happen.’
A switch to four at the back followed against Newcastle but it was back to 3-4-3 against Wolves last week, a turgid display marked again by square pegs deployed in round holes which served as a loud and clear message to his bosses.
A long overdue revamp in midfield is scheduled for the summer with Amorim seemingly keen for those plans to be brought forward to January. INEOS, perhaps realistically given expectations in the mid-season window, are ready to wait.
On evidence, United’s midfield is not good enough regardless of what system is played. The chance to focus on that area of the pitch came and went in the summer – the same summer where Liam Delap was reported to be Wilcox’s first choice striker target before he opted for Chelsea. United eventually agreed a deal worth £74million to sign Benjamin Sesko whose return of two goals has not been good enough. Amorim was thought to have preferred another Premier League-proven option in Ollie Watkins in those summer months.
Amorim deservedly pays the price for his own limitations – but mistakes have been made across the board.
