2 min read
Football Insider

Understanding the Fallout: Ruben Amorim's Departure from Man Utd Unpacked

Exploring the rift between Ruben Amorim and Jason Wilcox that led to Amorim's dismissal at Manchester United, shedding light on the volatile post-match press conference, issues with recruitment, and the club's ongoing struggles.

Understanding the Fallout: Ruben Amorim's Departure from Man Utd Unpacked

A split between Jason Wilcox and Ruben Amorim led to the latter's sacking at Manchester United after the Portuguese coach took issue with a comment made by the director of football. Amorim was sacked as the Red Devils coach last week after he exploded in a post-match press conference and made a number of pointed comments aimed at the club's hierarchy.After the Red Devils struggled to a 1-1 draw against Premier League rivals Leeds United, Amorim came out in his conference with a point to make. He made a series of claims in a wild outburst which criticised the club’s executives. It is now understood this was aimed towards Wilcox, who had been initially hesitant to appoint Amorim in November 2024.When asked if he still has the board's backing, Amorim said: “To start with that, I noticed that you received selective information about everything. I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. And that is clear.”He continued to say that he is not Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho – three managers known for their hands on approach when it comes to recruitment and club management – but added that: “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. 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.”It is now being reported that the relationship between Wilcox and Amorim had broken down before the Leeds game. The Sunreport that training ground sources have told them that Wilcox billed himself as “like a manager” and stressed that Amorim was the coach.This will have irked Amorim, who had been demanding more support from the club in the transfer market. The Portuguese coach was supposedly unhappy that a move for Antoine Semenyo was not sanctioned, with the Ghanaian moving to Manchester City instead.The deep factions and rifts continue to plague United. The club have long suffered with poor recruitment of both coaching and playing staff, creating a mixed bag of a squad and even more inconsistent results.Amorim was deeply wedded to his 3-4-3 formation and demanded signings which suited his formation. This created huge scrutiny on the former Sporting CP man who was accused of being too risk averse and predictable.The Portuguese boss was able to spend significantly in the summer and added an entire new-look frontline including Mathues Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. Amorim also brought in wing-backs to suit his formation which relied heavily of pace and energy down the flanks.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingDarren Fletcher has taken temporary charge of the Red Devils and oversaw a 2-2 draw with Burnley earlier this week. He will be in the dugout when Brighton travel to Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round. The Seagulls have a mightily impressive record at Old Trafford and will fancy their chances against the inconsistent Red Devils.It is unclear if and when a permanent appointment will be made, with some reports suggesting that they will wait until the summer to name a new boss. This could mean that Fletcher will welcome rivals Manchester City to their home with a chance to deal a hammer blow to their rivals’ title chances in the derby on January 17.Pep Guardiola’s men are currently six points behind league leaders Arsenal, but will be determined to hunt down that gap. They have drawn their first three games of 2026 to fall away in the title race, being held by Brighton, Chelsea and Sunderland.

1

The Explosive Press Conference

Following a lackluster 1-1 draw against Leeds United, Ruben Amorim took the podium with a fiery determination, expressing frustration towards the club's hierarchy. Specifically targeting Jason Wilcox, Amorim asserted his role as the manager of Manchester United, not merely the coach. This clear distinction highlighted underlying tensions within the club's structure.

2

Fractured Relationship with Jason Wilcox

Reports indicate that the relationship between Wilcox and Amorim was strained prior to the Leeds game. Desiring more control over transfers and recruitment, Amorim clashed with Wilcox, who emphasized a distinction between being 'like a manager' and the head coach. This clash of ideologies contributed to the breakdown in communication between the two parties.

3

Recruitment Woes and Tactical Scrutiny

Amorim's adherence to a specific 3-4-3 formation and insistence on signings to fit his tactical blueprint created tension within the club. The failure to secure desired targets and the perceived predictability of his approach raised concerns about his risk aversion. Despite significant investments in new players, criticisms mounted regarding the squad's cohesiveness and performance consistency.

4

Transition Under Darren Fletcher

With Darren Fletcher assuming temporary charge, Manchester United face a period of uncertainty. The drawn match against Burnley and an upcoming FA Cup clash with Brighton symbolize a testing phase for the team. Speculation abounds on the timing of a permanent managerial appointment, with potential implications for pivotal fixtures, including the Manchester derby.

Published on Jan 10, 2026