Ruben Amorim appeared in a far more cheerful mood than on Sunday, as he was spotted for the first time following his dismissal from Manchester United. The former manager, along with his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, left their Cheshire home, both sporting broad smiles beneath their sunglasses, just hours after his abrupt termination at Carrington on Monday morning.

Amorim’s removal from his managerial role came on the heels of an outspoken tirade directed at club executives after Manchester United’s draw against Leeds. Interestingly, sources from Daily Mail Sport reveal that the club’s decision-makers had already resolved to part ways with Amorim two days before the team headed to Elland Road.

The decision to sever ties with Amorim was reportedly concluded after a crucial meeting with United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox. This meeting took place following last Tuesday’s 1-1 stalemate against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team languishing at the bottom of the league. Amorim, during that match, had reverted to his favored strategy of deploying three central defenders.

Insiders have disclosed that Amorim was informed that Manchester United’s squad, enhanced by a substantial £250 million investment in summer signings, possessed the capability and talent to inspire confidence and play a more attacking brand of football.

According to sources, Amorim was told that United’s squad, bolstered by £250million of summer recruitment, were good enough to earn trust and that they were capable of playing more attacking football.

Ruben Amorim and his wife Maria looked delighted outside their Cheshire mansion today

The pair wore huge grins and sunglasses as they walked out onto the snowy pavement

Amorim is in line for a mega payout after learning of his dismissal on Monday morning 

However, it would appear that the message failed to hit home and, indeed was met with a furious response from the Portuguese boss. 

Former United midfielder and current Under 18s coach Darren Fletcher has been installed as caretaker manager for Wednesday’s trip to Burnley. United’s leadership team of players were also informed of the decision after Amorim was given the news.

Amorim has been in charge at Old Trafford for 14 months during a turbulent period in which United endured their worst season in more than half a century and missed out on Europe for only the second time in 35 years. He leaves with the club in sixth place in the Premier League.

The Portuguese boss arrived at United in November 2024 from Sporting Lisbon but his poor record has seen him become a figure of mockery, topped when footage emerged of him using coaching magnets in the dugout during United’s defeat by Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August. 

A club statement read: ‘Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United.

‘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.’

United captain Bruno Fernandes was seen looking gloomy as he left Carrington this afternoon

Harry Maguire, seen leaving Carrington on Monday, is among the leaders in the United team

Benjamin Sesko was signed by Amorim for £73m and has failed to make a tangible impact

It seems that Amorim was still in the dark about the decision to release him of his services following the draw at Elland Road on Sunday, but he acknowledged a rift between himself and the United hierarchy in his post-match comments.

Speaking after match, 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. 

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 the three forward players in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for £250million and not a midfielder in the summer was also something that had been given approval from the dugout. 

Amorim was summoned to Carrington on Monday 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.