Amorim meltdown rocks Manchester United again
Manchester United’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim has once again thrown the club’s long running instability into sharp focus. After more than a decade of upheaval following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the latest managerial exit has reignited debate over whether structural problems continue to undermine progress.
The club’s official explanation was brief and measured. Yet reporting from several outlets suggests Amorim’s departure was shaped by deeper disagreements, tactical concerns and mounting internal strain.
High hopes fade quickly
Amorim arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024 with an impressive reputation built at Sporting CP, according to The Guardian. He had ended the Portuguese club’s 19 year league title drought and developed a modern, high pressing team admired across Europe.
His commitment to a 3,4,3 system was initially viewed as a bold step for a side searching for a new identity. Early optimism, however, proved short lived.
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Fourteen months later, a 1,1 draw with Leeds United on January 4 left United marooned in mid table and out of major competitions. In a statement issued after the match, the club said the dismissal was due to a lack of progress on the pitch.
According to The Guardian, performances alone did not fully explain the decision.
Power struggle behind the scenes
Several reports pointed to growing friction between Amorim and senior club executives. According to The Guardian, disputes over recruitment strategy and spending limits under Profit and Sustainability Rules created what it described as a power struggle with the hierarchy.
Manchester Evening News reported a breakdown in relations between the head coach and United’s leadership team, particularly over control of transfers and squad planning.
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Amorim himself hinted at deeper frustration during his final press conference. “I came here with certain expectations, and if they're not met, perhaps it's time to reconsider,” he said.
Former United striker Wayne Rooney criticised the comments as unhelpful, according to Football365, suggesting they further strained an already tense situation.
Tactical questions refuse to fade
Concerns about Amorim’s tactical flexibility became a central theme in post sacking analysis. According to The Independent, senior figures within the club urged him to adapt away from his preferred system after heavy defeats to domestic rivals.
Fabrizio Romano also noted in commentary that there was internal pressure for tactical evolution as results deteriorated.
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Critics highlighted late substitutions and in game management, particularly against Leeds, as signs that Amorim’s approach was not adapting quickly enough to the demands of the Premier League.
Pressure takes its toll
Sky Sports News reported worries about Amorim’s emotional and inconsistent behaviour, citing tense training sessions and blunt public criticism of players.
CNN described his time at United as a rollercoaster spell, noting how early enthusiasm gradually gave way to visible frustration on the touchline and in media appearances.
Some supporters argued the coach was another victim of deeper structural issues rather than the sole cause of failure. According to Football365, fan reaction focused heavily on ownership, recruitment strategy and long standing instability as recurring obstacles that have undermined successive managers.
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A familiar crossroads for united
As Manchester United begin yet another search for a new head coach, the broader questions remain unresolved. The club faces familiar dilemmas over control, identity and long term planning.
Whether replacing the manager can address those deeper issues is uncertain. What is clear is that Amorim’s exit has added another chapter to a turbulent era, reinforcing the sense that Manchester United are still searching for a clear direction.
Sources: The Guardian, Manchester Evening News, Sky Sports News, CNN, Football365
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