Ruben Amorim has been dismissed as Manchester United head coach after a series of cryptic comments about the club's structure and a run of poor results. His departure marks the seventh managerial change since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, underscoring a persistent sense of discontent at Old Trafford.
Amorim's frustrations came to a head after Sunday's draw with Leeds, where he hinted at a lack of control over recruitment. 'I'm going to be the manager of this team, not the coach,' he said, suggesting tensions with director of football Jason Wilcox over transfer policy. The club reportedly felt his refusal to focus on coaching left little reason to keep him on.
Under Amorim, United showed only fleeting promise, winning three consecutive games in October but managing just three wins in 11 Premier League matches since. His rigid adherence to a 3-4-2-1 formation gave way to a back four in recent weeks, raising questions about his tactical conviction. The team currently languishes in 15th place, having lost the Europa League final and missed out on Champions League qualification.
The club's financial situation adds to the uncertainty. United spent £430m on transfers under Amorim, recouping only £165m, while revenues have dropped due to poor form. The new manager will inherit a squad shaped for Amorim's system, with limited funds for further changes. Candidates like Oliver Glasner, whose contract at Crystal Palace expires soon, may be considered to continue the 3-4-2-1 experiment.
As the club drifts without clear direction, the crisis that seemed acute under Erik ten Hag now feels like the norm. United's decline from domestic dominance to mid-table mediocrity shows no sign of abating.
