Manchester United urged to consider Ancelotti as Amorim exit deepens crisis
Manchester United’s search for stability has intensified after the club decided to part ways with Ruben Amorim, with Carlo Ancelotti now being strongly tipped as a potential long-term solution to restore order at Old Trafford.
The decision to move on from Amorim came after another damaging period of inconsistency, leaving United once again scrambling for direction and prompting calls for a proven winner who can reestablish standards at one of football’s most demanding institutions.
United’s struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 have been well documented. While managers such as Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag delivered cup success, the Premier League title has remained out of reach, and the broader identity of the team has steadily eroded.
Last season’s 15th-place finish marked the club’s lowest position in the modern era, and this campaign has gone even worse. United failed to qualify for Europe and exited both domestic cups at the earliest stages, setting unwanted records and underlining how far standards have slipped.
Amorim ultimately paid the price for rigid tactical choices and a lack of alignment behind the scenes. A brief caretaker spell from Darren Fletcher failed to halt the slide, leading to Michael Carrick stepping in on an interim basis as the club reassesses its long-term direction.
Against that backdrop, former United coach Rene Meulensteen believes Ancelotti fits the profile of manager required to reset the culture. The current Brazil boss brings vast experience from elite spells at AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, along with a reputation for authority and adaptability at the highest level.
Meulensteen has pointed to Ancelotti’s ability to impose clarity within modern club structures, where sporting directors and technical staff coexist with head coaches. In his view, Amorim’s downfall stemmed from a lack of cohesion in that setup, something Ancelotti’s pedigree and confidence would help avoid.
The wider context makes the decision even more significant. United are expected to appoint a permanent manager in the summer, with names such as Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Luis Enrique and Oliver Glasner already linked. Choosing Ancelotti would signal a clear shift toward experience and immediate credibility rather than another long-term rebuild.
Attention now turns to the short-term picture under Carrick. Old Trafford is preparing for a high-pressure Manchester derby this weekend, followed by a daunting trip to league leaders Arsenal. The atmosphere is tense, with supporters desperate for signs of progress amid another turbulent campaign.
Those fixtures will offer little margin for error. United’s defensive frailties, lack of control in midfield and blunt attacking play have all been exposed repeatedly, and Carrick faces an immediate test of his ability to steady the ship.
Beyond the dugout, questions also surround Amorim’s future. While his domestic success in Portugal remains respected, doubts linger over whether Premier League clubs will be quick to offer him another opportunity after his struggles in England.
For United, the focus is firmly forward. The coming weeks will shape not only the remainder of the season but also the direction of the club beyond it. Appointing a figure such as Ancelotti would represent a statement of intent, aimed at restoring a winning culture and closing the gap to the Premier League’s elite once again.