The search for a new Manchester United manager is underway following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and his successor could immediately dismantle a series of strict dressing room codes established by the Portuguese coach.
Amorim was dismissed on Sunday, 5 January 2026, in the aftermath of a 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds United at Elland Road. His departure came swiftly after he made pointed comments about the club's board and his own title, insisting he was the "manager" and not just a "coach".
His 14-month tenure at Old Trafford has ended with the club languishing in sixth place. United legend Darren Fletcher has taken interim charge for the upcoming fixture against Burnley, while the club considers a permanent replacement.
Bookmakers have installed Oliver Glasner as the early favourite, with Gareth Southgate and Mauricio Pochettino also in the frame. Whoever is appointed will inherit a squad governed by four specific rules set by Amorim, which are now under scrutiny.
The Four Rules Under Review
Amorim's regime was built on discipline and elite conditioning, leading to several non-negotiable policies for the playing squad. The new boss must decide whether to continue or scrap these directives.
No Holidays During International Breaks
One of Amorim's first edicts was to prohibit players from taking holidays during international breaks if they were not selected by their country. The policy was designed to manage player rest and limit unnecessary travel.
"We as a club have to set the standards and manage that," Amorim explained previously. "It's my decision if they can have five days, or three days to rest and you cannot fly. This is something that us as a club have to decide."
Matchday Food Ban in the Dressing Room
In a push for peak physical conditioning, Amorim banned players from bringing food into the dressing room on matchdays. He linked this directly to the intense demands of modern football.
"You can do a starting line-up with the best players on the planet, without running they also won't win," he stated in December 2024. "We have to run like mad dogs, if not we won't win."
Losing Team Collects the Training Gear
To foster accountability and a winning mentality, Amorim introduced a rule where the losing side in training ground matches must pick up all the equipment. Young midfielder Toby Collyer highlighted its competitive impact.
"Everyone wants to be the team that wins," Collyer told The Athletic. "You don't have to get the gear in then. It's a jeopardy if you lose! All the other teams have to get the gear in."
Keeping Coaching Instructions Simple
During his early weeks, Amorim instructed his coaching staff to avoid giving players overly complex tactical instructions. The philosophy was to ensure the squad clearly understood their roles and could execute them effectively on the pitch.
This approach was part of a broader cultural reset, which defender Diogo Dalot acknowledged had raised standards. "If you want to be in Manchester United, you need to match some standards," Dalot said. "If you can't match them, it's not a place for you."
The imminent managerial appointment, overseen by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will signal the club's next direction. Whether the new boss views Amorim's rules as foundational discipline or unnecessary rigidity will be one of their first major decisions.
