Amorim sacked as Manchester United turn to Darren Fletcher for interim fix

By Johnson Arua

Manchester United have dismissed manager Ruben Amorim and are preparing to appoint a caretaker coach to oversee the team for the remainder of the season, the club confirmed on Monday.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge of Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Burnley.

The 41-year-old Scot will remain in interim control until a caretaker manager is appointed, while the club plans to name a permanent replacement for Amorim in the summer.

Amorim’s exit follows growing tensions between the Portuguese coach and the club’s hierarchy. On Friday, he suggested his relationship with senior officials had become strained, hinting that he would not receive full backing in the transfer market.

After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, Amorim further fuelled speculation by stating he wanted to work as a manager “not the coach” and indicated he was prepared to leave when his contract expired in 18 months.

Less than 24 hours later, United announced that Amorim had “departed his role as head coach of Manchester United” after just 14 months in charge.

“With Manchester United currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly concluded that now is the right time to make a change,” a club statement read.

“This decision is intended to give the team the best opportunity to achieve the highest possible league finish. The club thanks Ruben Amorim for his contribution and wishes him well for the future.”

Amorim’s entire coaching staff have also left the club.

The decision marks a sharp turnaround from comments made in October by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who said Amorim would be given three years to prove himself and urged patience.

However, sources disclosed that the club no longer believed there was sufficient evidence of tactical evolution or progress this season.

The 40-year-old was appointed in November 2024 after United paid Sporting Lisbon €11 million (£9.25m) to activate his release clause.

During his tenure, Amorim won 25 of his 63 matches in charge. His 14-month spell is the shortest reign of a permanent Manchester United manager since David Moyes was dismissed after just eight months in 2014.

Fletcher, currently United’s under-18s head coach, previously served as the club’s technical director between 2021 and 2024.

While he has never held a senior coaching role, the former Scotland international enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Old Trafford from 2002 to 2015, winning five Premier League titles and the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League.

He is expected to address the media on Tuesday ahead of United’s trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Wednesday.