Amorim and Lisandro Martinez “squared up” as details of furious training ground bust-up emerge | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim and Lisandro Martinez reportedly “squared up” to each other on the training ground just weeks before the Portuguese was sacked from his role as Manchester United head coach.

Amorim dismissed

On Monday, David Ornstein revealed that United had made the decision to fire Amorim after 14 months in the job.

This verdict was reached less than 24 hours after Amorim’s fiery outburst in his press conference after the 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road. Amorim told reporters that he joined United to be the manager as opposed to his official title of head coach.

He also repeatedly cast doubts over his long-term future at Old Trafford while strongly hinting at a breakdown in his relationship with the top brass.

Since then, further details have emerged, painting a picture of significant internal disarray that culminated in the decision to dismiss Amorim.

In addition to friction between himself and director of football Jason Wilcox, a report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Amorim engaged in a shouting match with Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo found opportunities limited under Amorim, a situation the 40-year-old tactician would address with notable tetchiness in press conferences. It has been widely claimed that Mainoo was strongly considering leaving United this month if Amorim were to remain in the dugout.

According to The Athletic, another tense training-ground flare-up occurred between Amorim and Martínez, though the outcome for the Argentine differed significantly from Mainoo’s.

Amorim and Martinez “square up”

The Athletic narrate, “On occasions, though, he responded positively to being challenged. He and Martinez squared up to each other during training in December, in the period when United faced Crystal Palace and West Ham United.”

“Martinez considered himself ready to start and, feeling Amorim was overlooking him, made his point in what has been described as an ‘intense’ manner.”

“Martinez, who made substitute appearances against Palace and West Ham, was not named in an XI until the Boxing Day game against Newcastle, but he was made captain and continued to wear the armband for Amorim’s final two games, demonstrating how the head coach admired his energy.”

The newspaper adds, “Those who have observed Amorim say that kind of strength from his assistants would have been beneficial. His group, which he brought from Sporting, is seen as mirroring his ideas rather than offering alternatives or challenges.”

On Wednesday evening, Darren Fletcher will take charge of United at Turf Moor against Burnley.

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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