Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United Downfall: From Bright Hope to Another Failed Era
Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United was supposed to herald a new era of tactical innovation and youthful energy, but just 14 months after his arrival he departs as another name on the long list of managers unable to restore the club’s former glory. His dismissal on Monday, after recording only 25 wins in 63 matches, leaves United searching for a seventh permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Amorim arrived with a reputation forged at Sporting Lisbon, where his 3-4-3 system delivered two Portuguese league titles. Yet his insistence on sticking to that formation at Old Trafford proved costly. Even as evidence mounted that United’s squad was ill-suited to the approach, he famously declared that “not even the Pope” could convince him to change. Only in his final weeks did he experiment with a back four, forced by injuries and AFCON absences, but he reverted to his preferred back three in his last two matches, both disappointing 1-1 draws against Wolves and Leeds.
Behind the scenes, tensions were growing. Amorim hinted at disagreements with director of football Jason Wilcox over transfer policy, insisting he had been hired as “manager” rather than “just the coach.” United had spent more than £200 million in the summer, bringing in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but the squad remained unbalanced and results failed to improve.
The statistics underline the scale of the decline. When Amorim took charge in November 2024, United were four points off the top four. By the end of the season, they had slumped to 15th, their worst finish in half a century, since relegation in 1974. His gamble on prioritising the Europa League backfired, with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the final denying them Champions League football and condemning the club to a second consecutive season without European competition.
Even after a summer overhaul of the attack, United’s struggles continued. An embarrassing League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby in August set the tone, and though there were flashes of progress in wins over Chelsea and Liverpool, inconsistency plagued the campaign. Four defeats in his last five home games sealed his fate, with the board unwilling to risk missing out on Champions League qualification again.
Amorim’s relationship with United’s academy also drew criticism. While the club’s proud record of naming a homegrown player in every matchday squad since 1937 remained intact, he was accused of neglecting young talents such as Kobbie Mainoo. The midfielder, who had shone for England at Euro 2024, has yet to start a league game this season. Amorim defended himself by claiming there was a “feeling of entitlement” among the youth ranks, after Harry Amass and Chido Obi publicly challenged his comments on social media.
In the end, Amorim’s reign will be remembered for stubborn adherence to a failing system, strained relations with the hierarchy, and missed opportunities both in Europe and domestically. His departure leaves United once again at a crossroads, searching for stability and direction in a decade defined by managerial upheaval.