Sacked Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has swiftly returned to his native Portugal, just five days after his dismissal from the Premier League club. The 40-year-old was filmed arriving at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport on a drizzly Saturday evening, accompanied by his young son.
A Silent Return Home
Amorim was met by a camera crew from CNN Portugal upon exiting the airport. He carried two rucksacks and grinned but refused to answer any questions posed by a reporter. The journalist asked if his time in Manchester had been a disappointment, whether he had any job offers, and if he would return to Portugal for a managerial role. Amorim responded only with a smile before getting into a car and shutting the door.
The Fallout from Old Trafford
Amorim's departure from United followed a heated clash with sporting director Jason Wilcox after last Tuesday's 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Wolves. Sources indicate Wilcox told Amorim that United's squad, strengthened by £250 million in summer signings, was good enough to earn trust and should play more attacking football. The Portuguese coach reportedly reacted furiously to this feedback.
He was dismissed after the subsequent 1-1 draw with Leeds. While he was due a £12 million compensation package if sacked before November, the exact terms of his severance are currently unclear. Earlier in the week, Amorim was pictured with his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, leaving their Cheshire home, appearing relieved.
United's Search for an Interim Boss
Manchester United have yet to officially announce a temporary manager to see out the season. Darren Fletcher, who stepped up from his role as Under-18s coach, has taken caretaker charge. He oversaw a 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley and will lead the team in Sunday's FA Cup clash with Brighton.
While Fletcher has made a positive impression, the main candidates for the interim role are believed to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick. Solskjaer held face-to-face talks with the United hierarchy on Saturday, while Carrick met with chief executive Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox on Thursday. The idea of the pair working together again has been dismissed.
The club is now racing to make an appointment, with the season's final fixtures fast approaching.
