Ruben Amorim’s forgettable reign as Manchester United manager is over, with the Portuguese lasting just 14 months and 63 games in the most demanding of Premier League posts. Having faced uncomfortable questions across a difficult tenure at Old Trafford, the reasons for the 40-year-old’s sudden departure at the start of 2026 have been revealed.
The Bundesliga may still be on a winter break, but there was plenty of other action across Europe as 2026 got off to a cracking start for some of the continent's elite teams. In England, Arsenal took another big step towards a first Premier League title since 2004 by moving six points clear thanks to a 3-2 win at Bournemouth, while reigning champions Barcelona continue to lead the way in Spain after beating city rivals Espanyol thanks to late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.
Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United after just 14 months in charge, with his post-match press conference after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United proving the final nail in the coffin for the Portuguese. Watch the above clip as the former Red Devils boss clarifies that he's the "manager, not the coach" and that his tenure was "going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on".
Manchester United have officially parted ways with Ruben Amorim following a chaotic 24 hours at Old Trafford, bringing an abrupt end to the Portuguese coach’s tenure. The decision was confirmed on Monday morning after the manager launched a blistering public attack on the club’s hierarchy, a move that supporters on social media have largely agreed made his position at the helm completely untenable.
Ruben Amorim has been brutally sacked by Manchester United, with the Portuguese seeing a 14-month spell at Old Trafford brought to a close. Questions were asked of his ongoing presence in the Red Devils’ dugout after aiming an explosive outburst in the direction of the club’s board following a draw at Leeds. He has now paid the ultimate price for that rant and a string of underwhelming performances.
Under-fire Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been brutally reminded that he is “not Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp” and should not, given his record with the Red Devils, be demanding more control at Old Trafford. The Portuguese tactician has delivered an explosive outburst on his present and future, much to the surprise of United legend Wayne Rooney.
Ruben Amorim’s future as Manchester United manager is said to be in serious jeopardy, with the Portuguese tactician having seemingly taken a leaf out of Enzo Maresca’s book. On the back of seeing the Italian tactician relieved of his duties after speaking out at Chelsea, under-fire Amorim took the decision to aim an outburst of his own in the direction of club officials at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has been branded as "useless" and told to "f*ck off" out of Manchester United by one of Paul Scholes' sons after the Portuguese's criticism of the club's board. The 40-year-old coach appeared to take aim at the Red Devils' hierarchy in the wake of his side's draw with Leeds United on Sunday, insisting that he was the "manager and not the coach" of the Premier League side. Now, Arron Scholes has laid into the ex-Sporting CP boss.
Ruben Amorim has challenged Benjamin Sesko to be more clinical in front of goal, while stating that he is a "completely different" striker to Napoli loanee Rasmus Hojlund. Manchester United spent £74 million ($100m) on the Slovenia international last summer and sent his Danish counterpart to join Antonio Conte's Serie A holders. And after seeing Sesko fail to fire against Leeds United, Amorim has laid down the gauntlet for the 22-year-old.
Ruben Amorim says he came to be the "manager and not the coach" of Manchester United in a pointed message to the club's board. The Portuguese turned his ire towards the Red Devils' hierarchy after watching his side's 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday. In a stunning outburst, the 40-year-old hinted his days at Old Trafford may be numbered if he doesn't get the backing he feels he needs.
We reached the midway point of the Premier League season on Thursday night, with Arsenal holding a very promising four-point advantage at the top of the table as the Gunners look to end an agonising, 22-year title drought, and their chances of doing so have only increased after Saturday's hard-fought win at Bournemouth. Of course, Manchester City are very dangerous chasers - as Arsenal know to their considerable cost - and Aston Villa will obviously be hoping to stay in touch even after their chastening 4-1 defeat at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Ruben Amorim has defended himself against criticism that he does not take enough risks with Manchester United by insisting they are one of the most attacking teams in the Premier League. The coach has seen his tactics slammed by former Red Devils' greats such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes in recent weeks while fans have taken against his substitutions.
Ruben Amorim had a tetchy exchange with a reporter as he refused to explain why he is veering from the 3-4-3 formation he wanted to build his Manchester United side around. The Portuguese was asked three times during Friday's press conference before facing Leeds what he had meant with previous comments about his change of heart. But each time he shied away from giving an answer.
After Napoli beat Bologna on December 22 to win the Supercoppa Italiana, Rasmus Hojlund posted a picture of him holding the trophy, accompanied by the words, "What a great decision looks like." Unsurprisingly, some Manchester United fans didn't react well to the perceived slight on their club. One comment on Hojlund's Instagram photo with more than 14,000 likes sarcastically congratulated the Dane for finding his 'level' before adding, "[The] Premier League is too difficult for amateurs."
Ruben Amorim has declared that no Manchester United player will be allowed to leave the club in the January transfer window, handing blows to wantaway duo Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee. United are still at the gates of the Champions League qualifying spots but there appears to be no chance of the club strengthening in the winter market to boost their chances of finishing in the top four.
Ruben Amorim insists he remains "very confident" that Manchester United will have a strong season despite seeing his side drop points against bottom-of-the-table Wolves in Tuesday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Facing the media after a hugely disappointing performance from the Red Devils, the Portuguese tried to explain what went wrong, pointing to a lack of fluidity and the fact he's missing some key players. Watch the full clip above ⬆️
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