The Man Utd stars who will INSTANTLY improve when Amorim is sacked

Robin Bairner

Updated: 29 Sept 2025 12:47 BST
5 min read

Ruben Amorim, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Ruben Amorim’s sacking at Manchester United is only a matter of time.

Article continues under the video

The Portuguese is unwilling to give up on his 3-4-3 formation, despite it being abundantly obvious that the Man Utd squad has not mastered this shape.

A 3-1 loss at Brentford was the latest evidence of this, and with Amorim saying that “not even the Pope” will lead him to change his mind over his tactics, the writing is surely on the wall.

United have drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential managers to replace the Portuguese, and it feels like whoever the choose to step in will have an instantly positive impact on the squad.

In particular, there are a number of players whose performances have been adversely affected by Amorim and his resistance to changing shape.

Kobbie Mainoo

Frozen out of the starting XI and considering a January move away because of his inability to get regular minutes, Mainoo would be the most obvious winner of any change of management. He simply could not be more overlooked than he is currently.

A starter in England’s Euro 2024 final, the young midfielder has disappeared almost entirely under Amorim. He does not possess the speed and stamina to play in a 3-4-3 but in virtually any other shape could become a leading figure for United if properly exploited.

There have been some major disappointments with the way in which United have treated certain academy graduates in recent years; Mainoo cannot be another who is squandered.

Current ETV

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Manchester United U23

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Manchester United U23

ETV Range

€54.6M - €66.8M

Bruno Fernandes

Man Utd’s best player quite simply cannot have the influence he would wish on a game from playing in his current role, which is essentially that of a central midfielder.

Bruno is best known for being decisive around the opposition box with assists and goals, but has only two Premier League goals (one of which was a penalty) and a single assist in the last six months.

The 31-year-old is being shackled by Amorim’s formation, and it’s to nobody’s benefit.

Current ETV

Bruno Fernandes

AM, M (C)

Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes

AM, M (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€42.6M - €52M

Casemiro

Continuing the trend of midfielders who would benefit from a change of management is Casemiro, who at 33 years old is struggling to cope with the demands playing in a midfield two has brought.

The Real Madrid legend no longer has the legs to cover the ground required, but with Manuel Ugarte not in any sort of form as his understudy, he is required to produce big minutes.

Casemiro has shown some flashes of excellence this season, but he is not being optimised in his current role.

Current ETV

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€6.6M - €8.9M

Amad Diallo

Who really knows what Ruben Amorim expects of Amad Diallo?

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international has effectively been used as a right wing-back more often than not in the Premier League this season. Having invested €250 million in Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, it certainly appears that the coach does not see him as a front-line option for his attack.

Amad went on a hot run of five assists and a goal in Amorim’s first five Premier League matches, but has just one assist to his credit so far this term.

Current ETV

Amad Diallo

F, M (R), AM (C)

Man Utd

Amad Diallo

F, M (R), AM (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€47.9M - €58.6M

Leny Yoro

The potential of 19-year-old is clear, so it must be frustrating for the Frenchman to have apparently born the brunt of the 3-0 derby loss to Manchester City by being dropped in both subsequent Premier League games. Instead, he has watched on as a substitute as Luke Shaw continues to be repurposed as a centre-back.

Meanwhile, United would surely benefit from Amorim stopping his obsession of replacing a centre-back in almost every single game.

Current ETV

Leny Yoro

D (CRL)

Man Utd

Leny Yoro

D (CRL)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€65M - €79.5M

Marcus Rashford

Could Rashford return to Manchester United once his loan from Barcelona is up next summer? With Amorim at the helm, it seems impossible, yet if the Portuguese were to depart, the door would be opened for the forward to return.

Rashford’s attitude has been questioned by several managers, so perhaps his fallout with the ex-Sporting boss might act as a wake-up call. Nevertheless, he seems quite happy with life in Spain so far and might not even want to return.

A fit, firing and motivated Rashford at Man Utd would be a force to be reckoned with and an undoubted asset.

Current ETV

Marcus Rashford

M, AM (L), F (C)

Barcelona

Marcus Rashford

M, AM (L), F (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€49.1M - €60M

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