Manchester United have dismissed manager Ruben Amorim, sparking an immediate search for his successor, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca reportedly among the candidates.
Amorim's explosive exit from Old Trafford
The club acted swiftly on Monday morning, 5th January 2026, terminating Amorim's contract just one day after a provocative public outburst. Following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday, the 41-year-old Portuguese coach openly challenged the United board over their level of control behind the scenes.
United responded by releasing a statement confirming Amorim's departure after just 14 months in charge and appointing Darren Fletcher as interim manager. The BBC reports that the club is now seeking a caretaker boss to see out the remainder of the season, allowing time to identify a permanent replacement.
Maresca's availability and past praise
Attention has quickly turned to potential successors, and Enzo Maresca has emerged as a possible contender. The Italian left Chelsea only last week after a reported power struggle, having managed the Blues since the summer of 2024.
Intriguingly, Maresca had previously voiced strong support for Amorim during United's difficult start to the campaign. Speaking before Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford on 20th September – a match which saw red cards for Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and United's Casemiro – Maresca offered a telling verdict.
"The only thing I can say is that I really appreciate Ruben," Maresca said. "I've watched Ruben's games since he was at Sporting. He's a magnificent manager. Like all managers, when you start a new project sometimes you can struggle a little bit more or a little bit less... I don't have any doubt that he's a fantastic manager."
The search for a new United boss
United's form did improve under Amorim, and the team currently sits sixth in the Premier League, level on 31 points with fifth-placed Chelsea. With Maresca now a free agent, he is linked with the role alongside other out-of-work managers including Zinedine Zidane, Xavi Hernandez, Michael Carrick, and Gareth Southgate.
However, The Telegraph suggests that Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner is United's preferred long-term target. The Austrian's contract in south London expires in June. Meanwhile, Chelsea are expected to appoint former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior as Maresca's permanent successor.
For now, Darren Fletcher is set to take charge for United's Premier League trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. How quickly chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox move could determine whether that is his only match in temporary command.
