The Ruben Amorim sack news has sent shockwaves across the footballing world. Reports of his dismissal come after disappointing back-to-back draws against bottom-of-the-table Wolves and Leeds United, results that ultimately proved too damaging to ignore.
The timing of his sack makes it all the more surprising. At the start of the season, United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe publicly insisted Amorim had been granted a minimum of three years to prove his quality, stressing that building a successful club was not about “overnight success” but a long-term vision – one he compared to Mikel Arteta’s early struggles at Arsenal.
Yet, in a sharp reversal of that stance, the Ruben Amorim sack just 14 months into his tenure, raising fresh questions about patience, planning, and the true limits of United’s long-term project.
Ruben Amorim, who was the Premier League Manager of the Month for October, was the 10th manager to take charge at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at the club came to an end, though only the sixth to be appointed on a permanent basis, as the others served in caretaker or interim roles.
Among those six permanent managers, Amorim recorded the lowest win percentage, finishing his tenure with 15 wins, 19 losses, and 13 draws in 47 games, a success rate of 36.92%.
Did Ruben Amorim’s Comments Cost Him His Job?
Following the 1-1 draw against Leeds United, a visibly frustrated Ruben Amorim made an eye-opening remark during his post-match press conference, referring to himself as the “manager of Manchester United” rather than simply the “coach.”
The comments quickly drew attention, with some suggesting they played a role in his dismissal, while others interpreted his words as a subtle dig at the board, suggesting that he wasn’t being allowed full control over key decisions about the club.
But were those words enough to cost him his job – or were they merely a convenient moment the board used to justify a decision that had already been made?
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The Ruben Amorim Sack: Should Manchester United Have Been Patient with Him?
Compared to last season, Manchester United are enjoying a far stronger campaign. After 20 Premier League matches this season, the Red Devils sit in 6th place with 31 points – a strong improvement compared to the same stage last year, when they were 14th with 32 points.
In truth, Manchester United’s position could have been better, but they have been missing several key players. Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui are currently away at the African Cup of Nations with Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Morocco, respectively – absences that have undoubtedly impacted the squad.
Additionally, Bruno Fernandes has been sidelined since picking up an injury against Aston Villa, while Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt have also been out with knocks.
The absence of these players has made it far more difficult for Manchester United to find the quality in the final third to convert their chances, and turn one point into three. This aspect of the team’s problem ultimately proved to be the undoing that led to the Ruben Amorim sack.
What Next for United?
It’s the same cycle of trial-and-error, appointing a manager and hoping he will bring out the best in the squad. What Manchester United desperately needs right now is stability/
Ruben Amorim lasted just 14 months, and it’s striking how the board chose to sack him despite having backed him with over £300 million. If that support was there, why not trust him long enough to see his vision through?
Whoever becomes the seventh permanent manager will face an enormous task. They’ll need their own players, and implementing a new philosophy in the Premier League will take time. For United fans, these are undeniably tough times.
Following the news of the Ruben Amorim sacking, Manchester United confirmed that former defender Darren Fletcher will lead the team on a temporary basis until a new manager is appointed.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Mark Pain
Recording Date: 05.01.2026
