Man Utd to sack Ruben Amorim? Boss on the brink after Leeds rant

Robin Bairner

• 5 Jan 2026 08:49 GMT
• 5 min read

News

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim could be sacked by the Old Trafford club within days as tension continues to grow around the Red Devils.

Amorim’s record at Man Utd has been disappointing, and though the club have improved to sixth in the Premier League table this season, tension behind the scenes is growing.

Following the Portuguese’s astonishing rant after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United, his position is more vulnerable than ever, with talkSPORT reporting that he could be sacked imminently.

Why is there a rift between Amorim and the Man Utd board?

United want Amorim to be more tactically flexible, with director of football Jason Wilcox particularly forceful on that point. The manager’s insistence on sticking with his 3-4-3 system has been a source of friction.

Omar Berrada, the Man Utd chief executive, is expected to back Wilcox if forced to pick between the two.

Tensions have been simmering since the summer. talkSPORT reports that Amorim wanted Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins over Benjamin Sesko as his No.9, for example. Sesko has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, scoring only two goals in 17 appearances.

Furthermore, Amorim has also been left frustrated after missing out on Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo. The Transfers Podcast has detailed how the deal broke down when Semenyo, who had already agreed terms, learned he was to be paid significantly less than fellow new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. He will sign for Manchester City.

What did Amorim say?

Speaking after the Leeds match, Amorim openly attacked the club’s transfer policy in a move that was reminiscent of the words that began Enzo Maresca’s downfall at Chelsea.

“I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach,” he said.

“In every department - the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.

“I just want to say that I'm going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach.

“If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club.”

Romano on Amorim’s future

Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that the end could be near for Amorim. Speaking on his YouTube channel on Sunday, he said: “There is clear tension behind the scenes at Manchester United.

“There is tension between Ruben Amorim and the club’s management. His words in the press conference were strong and reflected frustration with how the club is operating in the transfer market.

“The situation remains on standby. Nothing is advanced, nothing is close, and it is normal that Amorim is not fully satisfied at this stage.

“Amorim was very clear when he said he signed as Manchester United manager, not just as a coach. That distinction matters to him.”

Amorim hasn’t earned the right to speak with authority – Rooney

Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney has been critical of Amorim’s outburst.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “I think after the Wolves game he did lose a lot of hope and confidence from the fans, and I think he’s probably felt that as well going into this game at Leeds.

“I think he just made it clear for us. He’s like, look, I’ve got 18 more months. Well, I don’t think he’ll have 18 more months if he carries on. So I think that’s fair to say. I think he’s trying to get himself sacked.

“I think you need to earn the right. You need to earn the right to be able to dictate exactly what happens in a football club, especially a football club like Man United. If Guardiola comes into Manchester United, for instance, I don’t think anyone would question what players he wants to bring in or the system.

“And I feel for him a little bit, but he is not Pep Guardiola. He’s not Jürgen Klopp. He hasn’t got that history or that background, so I don’t think he should be speaking with that authority in what he is. I just think the words he’s saying are very confusing…”

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