Manchester United has made the decisive move to dismiss head coach Ruben Amorim, following his recent public criticism of the club’s leadership after the team’s draw against Leeds on Sunday. The decision to part ways with Amorim took immediate effect.

Taking the reins in the interim is Darren Fletcher, a former United midfielder who has been nurturing young talent as the Under-18s coach. He will lead the team in their upcoming match against Burnley on Wednesday, stepping in as caretaker manager.

Amorim received the news of his departure at Carrington on Monday morning, shortly before the club’s leadership team relayed the development to the players. Though his contract guaranteed a £12 million payout if terminated before November 1, the specifics of his severance remain undisclosed.

Appointed in November 2024 from Sporting Lisbon, Amorim struggled to find success at Old Trafford, with his tenure marred by disappointing performances. His methods were brought into question, particularly after a video surfaced of him awkwardly using coaching magnets during a defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup’s second round this August, further denting his credibility.

In a formal announcement, the club stated, “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United.”

The Portuguese international’s final game in charge was the 1-1 draw against Leeds on Sunday that leaves them sixth in the Premier League this season

Ruben Amorim was blasted across social media after footage emerged of him using coaching magnets in the dugout during Manchester United’s defeat to Grimsby earlier this season

‘Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May.

‘With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.

‘The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.’

Amorim’s position became untenable after he took aim at his employers over the January transfer window and what he saw as his lack of control at the club.

Following Amorim’s post-Leeds outburst, United officials felt like they had been backed into a corner and were left with no alternative.

Things had reached a head after the 1-1 home draw on December 30 with Wolves, who picked up only their third point of the season, after Amorim had reverted to his favoured system of three central defenders.

Daily Mail Sport understands that director of football Jason Wilcox, who many believed to be the target of Amorim’s comments, held a meeting with the manager. In it, he delivered what was intended to be constructive feedback over the style of play and the level of quality available to Amorim. 

The message, according to sources, was that United’s players following £250m worth of summer recruitment, were good enough to earn trust and that they were capable of playing more attacking football. 

However, it would appear that the message failed to hit home and, indeed was met with a furious response. After the stalemate at Elland Road and further explosive comments, Amorim sealed his own fate.

The Portuguese declaring that he was the manager and not the head coach is not thought to have gone down well. Speaking after the draw with Leeds, Amorim said: ‘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. That is clear.

‘I know my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it’s not (Antonio) Conte, it’s not (Jose) Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United and it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change. That was my point and I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until other guy is coming here to replace me.

‘I just want to say that I am going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach and I was really clear on that. And that is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal, that is my job… not to be a coach. If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles, the criticism, everything… we need to change the club. I just want to say that.

‘I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach. In every department, the scouting department, the sporting director needs to do his job, and I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.’

Since the arrival of Ineos, United have spent significant sums on bringing in what they view as elite expertise in areas such as recruitment and data analysis and that while the head coach is a hugely important role, it does not sit above all else. 

It’s understood that the United hierarchy feel there has not been enough evolution or progress under Amorim despite spending £250m on players during his time in charge.

It included signing Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the summer, but sources insist that Amorim was on board with the decision to sign three forwards rather than a new midfielder which is believed to have become a bone of contention in the January window.

Amorim had also hinted at a lack of backing in the current window. However, the club’s only realistic target was Antoine Semenyo, who is set to join rivals City. While there is room to do business, United had targeted the summer for their next major recruitment push and the manager was on board with those plans, according to sources. Indeed, the arrival of three forward players and not a midfielder in the summer was also something that had been given approval from the dugout. 

They have played down talk of a power struggle with Wilcox behind the scenes, and insist Amorim has had unwavering support from his bosses. But they also believe that a head coach must operate within a broader set-up.

Amorim was summoned to Carrington this morning and given the news in a meeting with Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. The decision was made with the full backing of the board and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United expect Darren Fletcher to be in charge for at least the next two matches, a midweek trip to Burnley and the FA Cup visit of Brighton and Hove Albion. They are currently not looking beyond that, but a host of top name managers such as Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti will not be available until after the World Cup. The prospect of throwing a new manager into the Manchester derby, a week on Saturday, is not thought to be favoured.

Despite concerns that the squad assembled under Amorim is geared towards his 3-4-2-1 system, insiders maintain that it is flexible enough to adapt under a new coach, and the decision to sack him has been made to give the team the best chance of qualifying for Europe this season.