Former Manchester United assistant manager Rui Faria has posted a cryptic social media message that appears to criticise the club's current direction, following the dismissal of manager Ruben Amorim.
Faria's Cryptic Critique of United's Philosophy
Rui Faria, who worked as Jose Mourinho's right-hand man at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, shared a lengthy statement on Instagram alongside the club's crest. His words seem to directly address the turmoil surrounding Amorim's exit and the perceived issues within the United hierarchy.
"A great club's philosophy used to be about silverware," Faria's message began. "Coaches were hired for their winning streaks in order to achieve the club objectives. Today, coaches are often hired according to their willingness to accept a club's business plan."
He elaborated on a perceived conflict between sporting and commercial goals, stating: "The club's business plan, however, is essentially about numbers - with each department set up to achieve its own objectives, contesting any coaching decision that could hinder its own targets - regardless of on-field results."
Faria concluded with a pointed remark about the manager's role, saying: "Yet the coach still remains the face of an unsuccessful project - even when their power is reduced to almost nothing!"
Amorim's Exit and INEOS's Restructure
Faria's intervention comes after Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager in January 2026, leaving the club once again searching for a new permanent boss. Amorim's departure has sparked debate among supporters, weighing poor results against the need for stability.
The dismissal represents a significant early test for the new football structure implemented by minority stakeholders INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Since their involvement, the club has appointed Omar Berrada as CEO and Jason Wilcox as Director of Football, creating a clear chain of command for football decisions.
However, Amorim's failure as their first major managerial appointment has raised questions about the effectiveness of this new model and the balance of power at Old Trafford.
Interim Leadership and Cup Hopes
With the search for a permanent successor ongoing, Manchester United are currently led by interim manager Darren Fletcher. The former midfielder took charge of the 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley and will be in the dugout for the FA Cup third-round clash with Brighton.
"I have, and they informed me they'd like me to take the team for Sunday," Fletcher confirmed when asked about discussions with the hierarchy. "I am tasked with leading the team on Sunday, and all my focus and energy goes into that."
Following an early Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town and with Premier League title hopes distant, the FA Cup remains United's last realistic chance of silverware this season. Amorim had guided the team past Arsenal and Leicester in last season's competition before a fifth-round defeat to Fulham.
Discussions are reportedly ongoing with former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about taking the caretaker role before a full-time appointment is made later in the year.
