Manchester United have terminated the contract of manager Ruben Amorim after a turbulent 14-month spell in charge at Old Trafford. The 40-year-old Portuguese coach was relieved of his duties following a dramatic press conference and a significant breakdown in communications at the club.
The High-Profile Fallouts That Defined His Reign
Amorim's time at United was characterised by a series of public and private disputes with key members of his squad. The most notable breakdown involved England forward Marcus Rashford. After a promising start under the new boss, Rashford's form dipped and a nightclub incident led Amorim to publicly question his professionalism. The manager famously stated he would pick a coach over Rashford if the player didn't train at maximum intensity, leading to loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
Another major rift was with Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho. The relationship soured after Amorim publicly criticised a crucial miss in the 2025 Europa League semi-final and then dropped him for the final. Garnacho's subsequent £40 million move to Chelsea in August 2025 was a direct result, and he later liked a social media post announcing Amorim's sacking.
The issues extended to Jadon Sancho, whose problems predated Amorim but found no resolution. The coach made it clear Sancho did not fit his tactical profile based on commitment, leading to a sale to Aston Villa. In a frosty exchange in December, Amorim refused to confirm he would shake Sancho's hand before a match.
Further Friction Across the Squad
Brazilian winger Antony was quickly deemed unsuitable for Amorim's system and was loaned to Real Betis in January 2025, a move that became permanent for £22 million last summer. Antony later claimed he felt disrespected by both the club and the manager.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund, a signing from the previous regime, was deemed surplus to requirements and sent on loan to Napoli. Amorim's explanation that he needed "intelligent runners" rather than strikers who "just wait for the ball" prompted Hojlund to post pointed social media captions, including "Thinking fast enough for you?" after scoring for Napoli.
Perhaps the most surprising estrangement was with young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Despite his heroics in the previous season's FA Cup final and for England at Euro 2024, Mainoo started only one game this term – a League Cup tie against Grimsby Town. Reports suggested Amorim felt Mainoo lacked the speed for his two-man midfield, prompting the player's brother to attend a match in December wearing a "Free Kobbie Mainoo" T-shirt.
The Final Straw and What Comes Next
Amorim's dismissal comes with United sitting sixth in the Premier League table, following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. While he had managed to arrest a slow start to the season, the cumulative effect of the fractured relationships and a perceived communication breakdown proved terminal.
The saga highlights the immense challenge of managing a squad with big personalities at a club like Manchester United. Amorim's strict principles on training intensity and tactical fit created a clear divide, resulting in the exile of a so-called 'bomb squad' and the permanent departure of several high-value players. The search for his successor begins with the new manager inheriting a dressing room that has seen significant upheaval and will require careful reintegration of some exiled talents.
