Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has publicly stated that Ruben Amorim's downfall at Old Trafford was not due to a lack of talent or tactical nous, but because of his refusal to adapt. The Portuguese coach was sacked in January after 14 months in charge, a tenure marked by his stubborn adherence to the 3-4-3 formation that had brought him success at Sporting Lisbon but failed to translate to the Premier League.
Amorim's Rigidity Proved Costly
Speaking at the Financial Times Weekend Festival in New York last week, Berrada explained: “Not tactics or talent. Rigidity. The coach came in mid-season with no pre-season to prepare, and under constant scrutiny, he held onto his ideas too tightly at exactly the point when adapting mattered most.”
Amorim was appointed in October 2024 after Erik ten Hag was sacked, with United paying Sporting Lisbon £10 million in compensation to secure his services mid-season. Despite a summer spending spree of over £200 million on attacking talent, the team failed to improve. Amorim's final match was a 1-1 draw at Leeds United in January, after which he publicly questioned his role and authority at the club.
Worst Premier League Campaign in History
Under Amorim, Manchester United recorded their worst ever Premier League finish, ending the season in 15th place. They also lost in the Europa League final. The team endured a particularly grim December, losing five times in six games, with three of those defeats at Old Trafford.
Amorim's post-match comments often made headlines, including his infamous declaration that he was leading "the worst United team in history." Despite obvious warnings and a lack of suitable players for his preferred system, Amorim insisted he would rather be sacked than change his beliefs.
Berrada's Role in Amorim's Appointment
Berrada personally pushed for Amorim's appointment after Ten Hag's dismissal. However, the chief executive now acknowledges that the coach's inflexibility was his undoing. “He held onto his ideas too tightly at exactly the point when adapting mattered most,” Berrada reiterated.
Amorim's tenure, though brief, was largely forgettable aside from a few positive moments. His refusal to deviate from the 3-4-3 formation ultimately cost him his job, leaving United to search for a new manager to rebuild the squad.
