Amorim Exit Triggers United Reaction as Squad Divided After Sudden Sacking
Manchester United players moved quickly to respond after Ruben Amorim was dismissed in dramatic fashion following an early-morning meeting with club executives, bringing an abrupt end to his 14-month reign at Old Trafford.
The decision came less than 48 hours after a tense draw with Leeds, a result that proved to be the breaking point in a deteriorating relationship between the Portuguese coach and the club’s hierarchy. Within hours of the announcement, several United players took to social media to thank Amorim and wish him well, though notable absences hinted at unresolved tensions inside the dressing room.
Bruno Fernandes led the public tributes, posting a brief message of gratitude on Instagram, with similar sentiments echoed by Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Benjamin Sesko, and Amad Diallo. The tone was respectful and consistent, reflecting a group keen to acknowledge Amorim’s efforts despite the turbulent ending.
The context behind the sacking is rooted in a volatile weekend. Amorim used his post-match press conference after the Leeds draw to insist on being referred to as the manager rather than head coach and openly criticised director of football Jason Wilcox. Those comments followed months of internal disagreements over transfer policy and tactical direction, culminating in what the club later described as a reluctant but necessary decision to improve their league prospects.
United currently sit sixth in the Premier League, well off the pace in the title race. Amorim departs with the lowest win percentage of any permanent United manager in the Premier League era, his tenure defined by an inconsistent 3-4-3 system that struggled to gain full acceptance within the squad.
Inside Old Trafford, the mood has been one of shock rather than celebration. Training sessions earlier this week were subdued, with senior players attempting to steady a group still processing the sudden change. Amorim’s demands and rigid tactical framework shaped much of United’s buildup play this season, often placing heavy emphasis on wing-backs and high defensive lines.
Key incidents over the past months had already strained relationships. Disagreements over selection, particularly in midfield, became increasingly visible, while public messaging from the manager grew more confrontational. The Leeds draw simply accelerated a process that had been edging toward a breaking point.
The silence from Kobbie Mainoo has been widely noted. The young midfielder endured a difficult spell under Amorim, who questioned his suitability for the system and frequently left him out of the starting lineup. Tensions reportedly peaked during a heated exchange at the training ground, and criticism from Mainoo’s family and former players kept the issue in the public eye.
Lisandro Martinez also did not post a farewell message, though his situation appears more nuanced. Amorim regularly praised the defender’s leadership and even handed him the captain’s armband in Fernandes’ absence, but friction emerged when Martinez attempted to return early from a serious ACL injury against medical advice.
Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho, now at Chelsea after falling out with Amorim last season, drew attention by liking a post announcing the manager’s dismissal, a small but telling gesture that added to the narrative of division.
As United look ahead, Darren Fletcher will take temporary charge for Wednesday’s match against Burnley. The club has already begun sounding out potential long-term replacements, with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner emerging as a leading candidate alongside Gareth Southgate and Enzo Maresca. For now, the focus is on stabilising the squad and salvaging a season that remains finely balanced.