Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Rúben Amorim did not come out of nowhere.
Instead, it was the culmination of mounting tension, tactical confusion, and a growing disconnect between the manager, his players, and the club’s hierarchy.
The unraveling became increasingly visible in the days leading up to the Wolves fixture, a match that quietly symbolized the beginning of the end.
When United’s squad arrived at Old Trafford ahead of last week’s encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers, they believed they knew what was coming.
Amorim had recently shown signs of flexibility, opting for a back-four system in games against Bournemouth and Newcastle.
Training sessions throughout the week reinforced that assumption, with players preparing under the expectation that the same structure would be used again.
However, just before kickoff, Amorim stunned the dressing room by announcing a sudden return to his preferred back-three setup.
The last-minute switch caught players off guard. According to a source within the dressing room, the manager struggled to clearly communicate the change, appearing hesitant and uncertain as he outlined his plan.
That moment sowed doubt among the squad, with some players feeling the coach no longer had full command of his ideas.
The resulting 1–1 draw did little to ease tensions.
Supporters voiced their frustration, and the mood darkened further during Amorim’s post-match media duties, where his comments hinted at deeper internal problems.
Behind the scenes, Amorim’s relationship with United’s leadership had been deteriorating since before Christmas. The draw against Leeds proved especially damaging.
In its aftermath, Amorim publicly questioned his role as merely a “head coach,” implying he lacked sufficient authority over footballing decisions. Those remarks did not sit well with the club’s hierarchy.
By Monday morning at 10:12 a.m., Manchester United officially confirmed Amorim’s dismissal, bringing his 420-day tenure to an abrupt end.
Internally, his unwavering commitment to a back-three system was viewed as a major contributing factor. Despite repeated encouragement from club officials to adapt more fluidly to the Premier League’s demands, Amorim remained largely inflexible. The Wolves match became the clearest example of his struggle to adjust
Amorim’s authority within the squad weakened significantly during a period marked by key absences.
Bruno Fernandes, sidelined through injury, had been a vital intermediary between the manager and the players. Without the captain’s influence, communication suffered.
Other experienced figures—Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt—were also unavailable at crucial moments.
During this stretch, United managed just one victory in five matches.
According to reports, the absence of this leadership core left Amorim isolated, diminishing his influence both on the training pitch and within the boardroom.
Amorim had been appointed to restore order after Erik ten Hag’s turbulent reign, bringing with him a reputation for structure and discipline forged at Sporting Lisbon.
His 3-4-2-1 system was central to that success, but at United, progress was slow and uneven.
Insiders suggest the squad never fully adapted to his methods. The style became predictable, and a lack of alternative plans left the team vulnerable.
Supporters grew increasingly irritated by in-game decisions, particularly substitutions that saw one center-back replace another with minimal impact.
At times, defenders such as Maguire were pushed into emergency attacking roles despite heavy spending on forwards.
Although the club insists Amorim was backed, disagreements emerged in the January window. The manager pushed for experienced additions—especially in midfield and goal—but the biggest clash concerned goalkeeping.
Amorim favored a move for Emi Martínez after loaning out André Onana, while the club instead chose to invest in young prospect Senne Lammens.
