Just a day after the dismissal of Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim, Bruno Fernandes was seen sharing a coffee with United’s former Assistant Manager. The meeting took place late Tuesday, following Amorim’s abrupt exit from Manchester United on Monday.

Amorim was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours after delivering a fiery critique of Old Trafford’s management. This outburst came after his team managed only a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

According to Daily Mail Sport, Amorim’s departure from the Carrington training ground was marked by an unexpected display of camaraderie. He was seen laughing and joking with his coaching staff as he exited, including his deputy, Carlos Fernandes.

Carlos Fernandes, no longer serving as the Assistant Manager, was later photographed leaving a coffee shop with Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United.

The duo, both hailing from Portugal, attempted to keep a low profile during their outing. Bruno Fernandes tried to avoid the cameras by pulling up the hood of his grey Nike sweatshirt.

Bruno Fernandes was spotted leaving a coffee shop along with Carlos Fernandes, Man United’s former Assistant Manager who was sacked alongside Ruben Amorim on Monday

Fernandes appeared to try and hide from cameras with his grey Nike hoodie pulled over his head

The Portuguese manager was axed  some 14 months after ditching Sporting Lisbon for Old Trafford

It comes after Fernandes became the first person from Amorim’s camp to react to the former Sporting Lisbon boss’ sacking, taking to Instagram to share a heartfelt goodbye to those at Carrington on Tuesday. 

He wrote in a caption: ‘Thank you, Manchester United. Thank you to the world-class players I had the privilege to coach and to learn from. Thank you to the staff members who showed true support. Thank you to the fans who stood by us. 

‘In the end, working at a football club of this dimension doesn’t just test your knowledge – it reveals character. A special chapter in my life. Proud to have served as Assistant Manager of Manchester United.’

Amorim had been without his captain and ‘key ally’ Fernandes in the final weeks of his Old Trafford reign, after the 31-year-old suffered a hamstring injury at Aston Villa before Christmas. 

It’s thought the blow exacerbated the situation at Carrington, with Fernandes understood to have been a key conduit between Amorim and the rest of the United squad, something which was lost in his absence. 

The Portuguese manager’s frustration was palpable during his final days in charge, particularly during his bizarre post-match outburst against Leeds in which he affirmed that he signed as United’s manager, not head coach. 

He was axed less than a day later, though Daily Mail Sport understands Jason Wilcox made the decision to sack him as early as Friday.

The hierarchy at Old Trafford have wasted little time beginning their search for Amorim’s interim successor, with Darren Fletcher taking over the team in the meantime. 

Fernandes took to Instagram to post a heartfelt goodbye to United on Tuesday

Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are understood to be the two leading candidates for the role until the end of the campaign

The former United midfielder will take charge this evening against Burnley at Turf Moor while director of football Jason Wilcox deliberates over what Daily Mail Sport understands is a two-horse race between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick for the role until the end of the season. 

Figures at United are believed to have spoken to both candidates already, but are waiting to meet the two United legends in person before making a final decision. 

Solskjaer, sacked by Besiktas earlier this season, emerged as a leading contender for the role on Tuesday as he bids to make an emotional return to the club more than four years after his first stint as manager ended. 

Ironically, Carrick stepped in as caretaker for three games when Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021. 

Carrick is available after he was sacked from his first managerial job at Middlesbrough in June. It’s understood that United are giving the 44-year-old former England midfielder serious consideration. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over on an interim basis last season when Erik ten Hag was dismissed, was initially under consideration but is now out of the running. 

Fletcher will nevertheless also be staking a claim for a more permanent managerial gig, with his first test coming this evening before an FA Cup clash with Brighton on the weekend, a fixture for which he is likely to still be in situ.  

The 41-year-old Scot admitted that taking charge of United is ‘beyond his wildest dreams’, but said he will leave any talks over his long-term future with Wilcox until after the game.

‘I’ve had a conversation and the focus was on this game,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a game to prepare for, a training session to organise, and I’ve been speaking to the players. The focus has been on the Burnley match and we’ll speak after the game.’

Fletcher will be assisted by Under-21s coaches Travis Binnion and Alan Wright, as well as Jonny Evans who has returned to the club after leaving his post as loan manager in December.

Both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are expected to return to the first-team squad against Burnley after recovering from their respective injuries.