Manchester United has parted ways with manager Ruben Amorim following a disappointing run of form, culminating in a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on January 4th. The dismissal, announced January 5th, marks another turbulent chapter for the storied club and the arrival of an eighth manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 . Former player Darren Fletcher will take the helm as interim manager while the club searches for a permanent replacement.
Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United came to an end following a 1-1 draw against Leeds at Elland Road. Just a day later, on January 5, the club announced Amorim’s dismissal, bringing an end to his time as manager since November 2024. Manchester United appointed Darren Fletcher, a former Red Devils player and previously the club’s Under-18s coach, as interim manager while they search for a permanent replacement.
In a post on social media, the club’s owners, Ineos and the Glazer family, stated the decision was made “reluctantly.” The firing of Amorim, who was under contract through 2027, followed a tense press conference after the Leeds match, where he felt compelled to reaffirm his authority over the 20-time English champions.
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not just the coach,” he stated. “I know I’m not Tuchel, Conte, or Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United. And that will last for eighteen months, or until the leadership decides to change.” The response from leadership arrived swiftly.
One of the Worst Seasons in Manchester United History
Manchester United brought Amorim on board in November 2024, investing over £10 million to secure the 40-year-old from Sporting Portugal as the successor to Erik ten Hag. During his four seasons with Sporting, Amorim built a reputation as a promising manager, winning two Portuguese league titles (2021, 2024) and two League Cups (2021, 2022).
However, under Amorim, Manchester United endured one of their worst Premier League seasons in 2024-2025, finishing 15th with just 42 points – their lowest total in the top flight since their last relegation in 1973-1974. The club was also eliminated from the FA Cup in the fifth round and the Carabao Cup in the quarterfinals. The season culminated in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, denying them a European spot.
That loss concluded a trophyless season for Amorim and marked Manchester United’s first absence from European competition since 2014. In an attempt to turn things around, the club – one of England’s wealthiest – spent approximately £250 million during the summer 2025 transfer window, completing several high-profile signings, including Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha.
An Eighth Manager Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Departure
The 2025-2026 campaign got off to a rocky start for Amorim, highlighted by a defeat to Grimsby Town – a fourth-tier team – in the second round of the Carabao Cup on August 27. Following that setback, the Portuguese manager apologized to the Red Devils’ supporters, despite the team currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, three points off the Champions League qualification spots, but with inconsistent results.
According to reports in the English press, Italian coach Enzo Maresca, recently dismissed by Chelsea, is a leading candidate to succeed Amorim. Other names in the mix include Gareth Southgate, the former England manager, Xavi Hernandez, the former FC Barcelona coach, and Oliver Glasner, currently managing Crystal Palace.
The next manager will need to align with the vision of Manchester United’s owners. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, CEO of Ineos, took a minority stake in the club in December 2023 and made it clear that he would have a say in the direction of the team. “We will decide the style, with the CEO, the sporting director, probably the recruiters, and that will be the style of Manchester United and the coach will have to play to that style,” he said to the press. Having last won the league title in 2013, Manchester United is now set to welcome its eighth manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement that same year – and none have found sustained success.
