One Week On: Ruben Amorim Sacked as Manchester United Manager

In an attempt to restructure and bring about change for a less-than-ideal Manchester United, Ruben Amorim was sacked. However, as we look into the last week since his removal, things have gone from bad to worse for Manchester United under interim manager Darren Fletcher - what can they do?

(Image credits to Sky Sports)

Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United’s Manager last week, reportedly due to differing directions of club development between him and the board. Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett explained the following:

“This was not a sacking based around Amorim's preference for 3-4-3. Rather, it was on the basis of what United saw as the head coach's refusal to adapt his tactics to differing circumstances and the evolution of the team.”

In his place, head coach Darren Fletcher is in charge of the club until an interim manager can come in at the end of the 2025/26 season. There are a few options for the next manager- Ole Gunnar Solskjær returning once more and Michael Carrick being the frontrunners after meetings held with the club. However, Manchester United faced Burnley just a day after they removed Amorim from his post. After a series of draws for the club with teams that many argue they should be beating, such as Wolves, the game was not looking promising as a club acting without a manager.

While the team adopted a new 4-2-3-1 structure, it did little to aid their game. Looking purely at the statistics, Manchester United should have had the upper hand, and quite easily. With 24 shots, 65% possession and nearly double the passes, this was a game that should have gone in their favour. However, with an unfortunate own goal by Ayden Heaven and an immediate-impact substitution for Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, even Sesko’s clinical brilliance couldn’t bring Manchester United to victory. The Red Devils now have just one win in five, three of which have been draws against teams who sit at the very bottom of the Premier League. A team like Manchester United should be winning these games, but why aren’t they?

After a disastrous early exit in the Carabao Cup last year to League Two Team Grimsby Town, and having no European football courtesy of their 15th place finish in the league the following year, Manchester United had but one chance to win silverware: The FA Cup. After a draw in the week earlier, things were not looking to be in United’s favour before the match began. Again, Manchester United dominated the statistics, but what Brighton had that set them apart were clear finishes at goal, where Manchester United just couldn’t convert their many chances into a goal until the 85th minute, by which point a comeback was close to impossible. In the end, they dropped out of the FA Cup.

(Image credit to the Indian Express- Manchester United's Diogo Dalot walks to the centre as Brighton players celebrate a goal during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Manchester United and Brighton in Manchester, England, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.)

This loss meant that, for the first time since before the First World War, Manchester United would play the least amount of games possible in a season: merely 40. Their very last chance at Silverware is winning the Premier League, which is highly unlikely, impossible even.

Since Amorim was appointed, there have been only 3 managers who have picked up fewer points than Manchester United has, only winning 15 games in their 14 months in charge of the club. Of all the managers that have come post-Sir Alex Ferguson, Ruben Amorim has had the worst win percentage to date, with only 31.9%. With these statistics, was it really right to let him go?

Many have argued that the Manchester United board have been harsh on managers in the last few years. Eric Ten Hag, for example, won silverware for the club, and yet was removed from his position soon into the new season with the club. This begs the question: what is it that the Board wants from the managers, and most importantly the players? What evolutionary brilliance are they looking for in a manager? Did they give Amorim enough time? Who will be the one to take over? Will change finally come for Manchester United?

With five days to go, we will turn our attention to the Manchester Derby coming this weekend, where we will be sure to watch an action-packed, entertaining game.

Article Written by Naeemah Pathan