The Decision to Sack Ruben Amorim: A Questionable Move
Manchester United have made the decision to part ways with manager Ruben Amorim. This move comes as no surprise, given the ongoing tensions between the coach and the club’s hierarchy, as well as his inability to deliver consistent results. Amorim’s win percentage of just 38% is a significant drop compared to previous managers at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson. In this context, the writing seemed to be on the wall, and Amorim likely has few complaints about the decision.
However, the choice to sack Amorim could prove to be one they later regret. Here are five key reasons why this decision might not have been the best for the club.
Repeating Past Mistakes
There is a certain logic in believing that someone else could do a better job. Amorim’s Premier League record of 1.24 points per game places him in the same category as Peter Reid, Sam Allardyce, and Steve McClaren. For a club of Manchester United’s stature, this level of performance is hardly acceptable.
The hope is that someone like Darren Fletcher or another incoming manager can improve the team’s atmosphere, bring an immediate uplift, and guide the club into the top four. But what about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Can things really get worse?
Mick McCarthy voice
It can.
Manchester United has fallen into this trap before. Things can always get worse. Look at Ralf Rangnick or Amorim himself last season. Another mid-season change. Another manager walking into a mess without a pre-season. More signings made in the image of a manager who is no longer there. The cycle continues.
Lack of Options
Sometimes, a club can justify sacking a manager, even if it seems harsh. Examples include Southampton moving from Nigel Adkins to Mauricio Pochettino, or Bournemouth hiring Andoni Iraola after Gary O’Neil. Liverpool’s decision to let go of Brendan Rodgers when Jurgen Klopp was available, or Manchester City’s awkward exit of Manuel Pellegrini when Pep Guardiola arrived, are other instances.
The problem for Manchester United is that, as far as we can tell, there isn’t a clear market opportunity right now. The pool of elite managerial talent feels remarkably shallow. Is this all worth it to land Enzo Maresca’s signature? It seems like we’ll be repeating the same process in 18 months.
The Objective Is Within Reach
“If there is one club in the world that proved in the past that they can overcome any situation, any disaster, it’s our club – it’s Manchester United!” That was Amorim’s promise to the supporters at Old Trafford following the club’s dismal end to the 2024-25 campaign.
With a humiliating League Cup exit to Grimsby and only eight wins from 20 Premier League games so far in 2025-26, that promise hasn’t exactly been fulfilled. However, there has been some improvement. Manchester United currently sit outside the top five (almost certainly enough for Champions League qualification) on goal difference. They’re only three points off the reigning champions in fourth place.
Amorim’s goal this season was to get the club back into Europe. Given the lack of distractions, the backing, and resources, that wasn’t an unreasonable ask. While the results aren’t great and consistency is lacking, only Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa have won more than half their games this season.
The Premier League has never been more competitive. The ‘Big Six’ sides—Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham—are also struggling to put together winning runs. Much of this was due to Amorim’s decisions, but after finishing 15th and 24 points off the top five last season, they would have taken being in the mix at the halfway stage of the campaign.
Underlying Data
“Results are one thing. Manchester United might only be a whisker off the Champions League places, but you have to look at the context…” Good idea. Let’s do that.
According to data on FBref, only champions-elect Arsenal and likely runners-up Manchester City (and marginally at that) have registered a higher expected goals tally than Amorim’s United this season. Their defensive numbers aren’t striking—only the eighth-best in the division—but overall, they still manage to boast the third-highest xG difference in the Premier League. Not too shabby.
They’ve registered a higher xG than the opposition in 13 of their 20 matches this season, including games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United. OPTA has the Red Devils fourth in their ‘expected points’ table.
In for a Penny…
The biggest issue with sacking Amorim is that it makes the board look disorganized. Doing it now only serves to make the past 14 months even more disastrous than they already were.
They backed him after finishing 15th last season. After losing the Europa League final to a dismal Tottenham side. They even gave him over £200 million worth of reinforcements in the summer. They’ve gone this far. They knew what they were getting into.
Amorim made his staunch belief in his 3-5-2 system abundantly clear from day one. And now you make the change?
“He has not had the best of seasons,” Jim Ratcliffe told The Times’ business podcast back in October. “Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.”
What changed, Jim?
“The press, sometimes I don’t understand,” Ratcliffe added. “They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow. You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”
Can’t you?
