Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim after 14 months at Old Trafford | OneFootball

Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, bringing another turbulent chapter at Old Trafford to an abrupt end.

His final match was Sunday’s 1-1 draw away at Leeds United, a result that left United sixth in the Premier League after 20 games.

Darren Fletcher has been placed in interim charge ahead of Wednesday night’s trip to Burnley.

The club are expected to wait until the summer before making a permanent managerial appointment.

United’s hierarchy moved quickly after a breakdown in relationships behind the scenes, with tensions escalating in recent weeks.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were involved in the decision, which was also taken with the knowledge of the club’s ownership.

A brief statement confirmed that Amorim’s departure was made ‘reluctantly’, but described the timing as necessary to give the team the best chance of achieving the highest possible league finish.

The club thanked Amorim for his contribution and wished him well for the future.

Amorim’s exit comes less than 24 hours after his pointed comments following the draw at Elland Road, where he stressed that he saw himself as the ‘manager’ rather than merely the ‘coach’.

He also hinted at internal disagreements and made it clear that he would not resign, effectively daring the club to make a decision.

United have opted to act, ending the shortest permanent managerial reign at the club since David Moyes was dismissed in 2014.

Amorim was appointed in November 2024 after leaving Sporting CP, with United paying around €11 million to secure his release.

He arrived with a strong reputation after winning two Primeira Liga titles in Portugal and was viewed as a long-term appointment. That vision never truly took hold at Old Trafford.

United endured their worst Premier League campaign last season, finishing 15th and missing out on European football.

Despite heavy spending in the summer transfer window, results and performances failed to show consistent progress.

Amorim’s preference for a back-three system drew criticism and became a source of internal friction, particularly as results fluctuated.

He won 25 of his 63 matches in charge, a return that ultimately failed to convince the club’s leadership.

Fletcher now steps into the spotlight despite having no previous experience as a senior first-team manager.

The former midfielder has impressed working with United’s Under-18s and is viewed as a steady short-term option.

United’s latest managerial change means they have now had six permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

The club now faces renewed questions about direction, stability and long-term planning.

The immediate focus shifts to Burnley and an attempt to stabilise a season that has once more veered off course.