Ruben Amorim was dismissed as Manchester United head coach on Monday, following a furious row with director of football Jason Wilcox over his refusal to adapt his tactics. The meeting on January 2 triggered the chain of events leading to his sacking, with Amorim reportedly blowing up at feedback from Wilcox, who had been the last senior figure defending him.
Amorim's insistence on a back three proved his undoing. After switching to a back four in wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle, he reverted to 3-4-3, resulting in draws against winless Wolves and promoted Leeds. United won only three of their last 11 games under the Portuguese, leaving them sixth but with a difficult run-in that could cost European qualification.
The club had invested £250 million in Amorim's reign, including £220 million last summer, and expected evolution. However, despite committing to adapt, he remained inflexible. His preference for attacking reinforcements—such as a January move for Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo—overshadowed other needs, and the team failed to produce entertaining football, with four of his last five home games described as a 'tough watch'.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and Wilcox informed Amorim of his dismissal at Carrington. United felt they could have sacked him last season after a 15th-place finish, but chose to back him. The breakdown in relations, culminating in his explosive press conference at Leeds, left the board with no choice but to act.
