Manchester United have once again plunged into managerial turmoil after sacking head coach Ruben Amorim on Monday morning. The Portuguese manager's departure brings a swift end to a disastrous spell in charge at Old Trafford.
A Failed Tenure at Old Trafford
Amorim leaves with the unwanted distinction of holding the worst record of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era. His tenure culminated in the club's lowest-ever league finish, a dismal 15th place last season. From the outset, his rigid tactical philosophy, centred on a 3-4-3 formation, proved problematic. The system demanded pragmatism from players unfamiliar with its specific roles, and many struggled to adapt.
Despite his perseverance, positive results remained elusive. The consistent failures have left few players emerging from the Amorim era with enhanced reputations. The club's succession plan is now set in motion, with Darren Fletcher taking initial temporary charge. A caretaker manager will then see out the season before a permanent appointment is targeted in the summer.
Who Benefits from the Change?
The managerial change will inevitably shift the dynamics within the squad. Some players are poised to benefit significantly, while others face renewed uncertainty.
Kobbie Mainoo is a clear winner. The talented midfielder saw his prospects diminish dramatically under Amorim, going from an FA Cup final scorer and England international under Erik ten Hag to a peripheral figure. He has not started a single Premier League game this season, but with the club's hierarchy still believing in his potential, his opportunities are now expected to increase.
Bruno Fernandes also stands to gain. The captain remained a consistent performer even during the team's lows, but Amorim's system often deployed him in a deeper midfield role, limiting his creative impact in the final third. A new manager will likely revert to a formation that allows Fernandes to operate in his preferred advanced playmaker position.
The club's full-backs, including Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot, will welcome a return to a conventional back four. Amorim's wing-back demands placed unfamiliar tactical burdens on defenders recruited for different roles. Attackers like Amad will also be relieved to avoid being converted into makeshift wing-backs.
Losers Emerge from the Fallout
Not everyone will view the change positively. Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces further scrutiny. The Ineos supremo has now overseen the backing, sacking, and then re-hiring of Ten Hag, followed swiftly by Amorim's dismissal. This latest expensive misstep—reportedly involving a £10 million pay-off—raises serious questions about the football decision-making at the highest level of the club.
For Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, the situation is complex. While a new manager might be keen to reintegrate him, his alleged dream of a permanent move to Catalonia could now be in jeopardy if the incoming boss sees him as part of future plans.
Finally, the club's balance sheet takes another hit. The significant payout to Amorim, following a summer of heavy spending, represents an unbudgeted cost and adds further pressure regarding Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), despite the club's history of navigating such financial regulations.
