Amorim sacking will give Man Utd 'highest possible Premier League finish'

_______________

LONDON - Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Manchester United manager 14 months after arriving at Old Trafford, the Premier League club announced on Monday.

The dismissal follows growing tensions between Amorim and the Old Trafford hierarchy, including director of football Jason Wilcox, in recent days.

United said in a statement that the Portuguese had left his role, with the club's leadership having "reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change".

The club added: "This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.

"The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future."

Current under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.

'I'm not going to quit'

United are currently sixth in the Premier League table after a 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday.

After that game, an irate Amorim stressed he was United's manager rather than just the coach during an eye-catching press conference in which he told the scouting department and Wilcox "to do their job".

The 40-year-old had alluded to frustration behind the scenes in the build-up to the match, refusing to clarify comments about the club's transfer plans.

He had looked downbeat when he sidestepped those questions, but was more forthcoming when asked on Sunday if he still felt he had confidence from the board.

"Guys, to start with that, and I noticed that you receive selective information about everything, I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United," Amorim said. "And that is clear.

"I know that my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it's not (Antonio) Conte, it's not (Jose) Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United.

"And it's going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change, so that was my point.

"I want to finish with that. I'm not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me."

United appointed Amorim to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November 2024.

He had established himself as one of the most sought-after young coaches in world football at Sporting Lisbon, where he won two league titles.

Amorim led United to the Europa League final in Bilbao in May, which they lost to Tottenham, but finished a shocking 15th in the Premier League table -- their lowest finish in more than 50 years.

The club have made marginal improvements this season but have been inconsistent, winning just eight of their 20 league games so far.

They are 17 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Amorim's 14-month stint is the shortest reign of a permanent manager at United since David Moyes was sacked just eight months into his tenure in 2014.

The club, 20-time English champions, have not won the Premier League since 2013, in Alex Ferguson's final season in charge.

Former United midfielder Fletcher was the club's technical director between 2021 and 2024, but he has never held a senior coaching position.