Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Ruben Amorim marks an end to his 14-month stint filled with historic disappointments, tactical inflexibility, and troubling decisions across the board.
The Portuguese manager took charge in November 2024 after Erik ten Hag was dismissed, despite having just signed a new contract months prior.
Amorim arrived amid praise as one of Europe’s top young coaches, having won two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting. However, he leaves with the team sitting sixth in the Premier League after a controversial media outburst following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday. So what led us to this point?
Tactical Rigidity
Amorim’s tenure will likely be remembered most for his stubborn adherence to a 3-4-3 formation. When he joined, the squad lacked the required personnel for this system; many players, including full-backs and midfielders, were not suited for such roles.
He famously claimed that 'not even the Pope' could make him change formations, a rigidity that ultimately prompted the board to act. This inflexibility also posed a challenge for the next manager, as his tactics influenced the summer recruitment strategy.
The Marcus Rashford Issue
Though Marcus Rashford scored just two minutes into Amorim's inaugural game, this triumph proved fleeting for the player and club. The disconnect between them became evident, leading to Rashford being loaned out to Aston Villa last January, then to Barcelona this summer. United struggled to regain a transfer fee, settling for loan payments instead.
Youth Development
Amorim was initially hired due to his track record of developing young talent, a crucial aspect of any successful Manchester United manager. Unfortunately, he failed to nurture potential stars like Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, with Garnacho moving to Chelsea and Hojlund joining Napoli on loan, both signalling a lost opportunity for the club.
Kobbie Mainoo's situation highlights this issue; once a vital player who starred in the Euro 2024 final, he devolved into a peripheral squad member under Amorim, illustrating a failure to utilize the youthful talent available.
History Maker
The 15th-place finish in the 2024/25 season is the club's worst in fifty years, something Amorim acknowledged in January 2025 when he noted, “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.” His first season yielded only 27 points from 27 games, and despite some improvements, it fell short of expectations for a club of Manchester United's caliber.
Europa League Final Defeat
One bright spot was United’s journey to the Europa League final, where they faced Tottenham. Despite a thrilling knockout stage including dramatic victories, they disappointingly lost 1-0 in the final, marking yet another low in an already challenging tenure.
Grimsby Humiliation
Among the numerous poor results, the Carabao Cup exit at the hands of fourth-tier Grimsby Town stands out. While Manchester United battled back to force penalties, they ultimately fell short in a dramatic 12-11 shootout, leading to taunts from opposing fans and further scrutiny of Amorim's leadership.
Endgame
The holiday season proved critical, with a disappointing home draw against Wolves followed by the 1-1 tie against Leeds—during which Amorim criticized the club’s scouting and sporting director—leading to his swift dismissal shortly thereafter.
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