Ruben Amorim’s short and turbulent reign at Manchester United is over. The club confirmed his departure with immediate effect after just 14 months, bringing a sudden end to a tenure defined by tension, slow progress, and public frustration. The timing, just hours after a fiery press conference, made the decision feel as explosive as it was inevitable.
Amorim leaves United in sixth place in the Premier League, a clear step forward from the disastrous 15th-place finish last season. Yet improvement alone was not enough at a club that measures success in trophies and Champions League nights. One win in the last five matches and growing unrest behind the scenes left United’s hierarchy unconvinced.
The breaking point came after Amorim openly clashed with the club’s structure. He criticised the scouting department and told director of football Jason Wilcox to “do their job.” He also revealed there had been “no conversations” about January reinforcements, despite injuries and a thin squad.
Amorim was defiant when asked about his future. “I’m not going to quit,” he said last week. “I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.” United moved quickly to make that statement a reality.
His final match was a 1-1 draw away at Leeds on January 4. It summed up his United spell, flashes of control, but no killer edge. Old Trafford has seen this pattern before in recent years.
In total, Amorim’s record reads 24 wins, 18 draws, and 21 defeats. The numbers suggest balance, but the performances rarely convinced. His insistence on a fixed system often clashed with the squad at his disposal.
Former captain Rio Ferdinand pointed to that stubbornness. He said Amorim’s biggest flaw was his refusal to adapt, and added that his recent comments made the exit “sharp and quick overnight.” Gary Neville echoed that view, saying Amorim was “starting to unleash” and clearly unhappy within the hierarchy.
United have turned to familiarity. Darren Fletcher, a former player and current academy head coach, steps in as interim manager. His task is simple but heavy, steady the dressing room and salvage a season still within reach of the top four.
For United fans, the mood is mixed. There is relief after weeks of visible strain, but also fatigue at another reset. Amorim arrived promising authority and clarity, but leaves behind questions that once again hang over Old Trafford.
