OFFICIAL: Man Utd sack Ruben Amorim after Leeds draw

Robin Bairner

Updated: 5 Jan 2026 16:15 GMT
5 min read

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

Manchester United have sacked manager Ruben Amorim after 14 months in charge of the club.

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Amorim has been axed by the Red Devils following the 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday, leaving them sixth in the Premier League.

Following that clash, Amorim launched a scathing attack on his superiors at the club in a post-match interview.

It appears that this was the final straw for the Man Utd bosses, who had been growing increasingly irritated with the manager over a period of months.

U18 boss Darren Fletcher is set to take command of the first team on an interim basis, with his first match a trip to Burnley on Wednesday.

© IMAGO - Ruben Amorim: Sacked by Man Utd

An official statement for the club reads: "Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.

"Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May.

"With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.

"The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future."

What caused the rift between Amorim and the Man Utd board?

United wanted 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 had been a source of friction.

Tensions had 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.”

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

Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney was critical of Amorim’s outburst, which ultimately saw him lose his job.

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…”