BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has spoken out following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim, making it clear that he is relieved by the club’s decision and firmly stating who he believes should take over at Old Trafford moving forward.
In a strong and emotional reaction, Ferdinand admitted he was “one of the happiest people on earth” after Amorim’s exit, while warning that he would not forgive INEOS if they appoint the wrong successor.
Manchester United officially parted company with Amorim on Monday, bringing an end to what proved to be a chaotic and disappointing period at the club.
Tensions had been simmering for weeks, but they reached boiling point after the Portuguese coach’s explosive comments to the media following a frustrating 1–1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, January 4, in the Premier League.
That public outburst came against the backdrop of a worrying run of form.
United had managed just three wins in their last ten league matches, a sequence of results that severely undermined Amorim’s position.
With performances failing to improve and pressure mounting from supporters and pundits alike, INEOS ultimately decided that a change in leadership was unavoidable and acted swiftly to remove him from his post.
A Difficult Spell at Old Trafford
Amorim arrived at Manchester United in November 2024 with a strong reputation, having revitalised Sporting CP during a successful four-year spell in Portugal. Expectations were high, but his time in England never truly gained momentum.
The 2024/25 season ended disastrously, with United finishing 15th in the Premier League and suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Despite those setbacks, INEOS continued to back Amorim during the summer transfer window, spending more than £200 million to support his project.
High-profile additions such as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško and goalkeeper Senne Lammens were brought in, offering glimpses of attacking improvement.
However, consistency remained elusive, and defensive frailties persisted, leaving the club with little choice but to intervene.
Amorim’s overall record only reinforced that decision. He departs Old Trafford having recorded just 24 victories in 63 matches, a return widely viewed as unacceptable for a club of United’s stature.
What Comes Next
In the immediate aftermath of Amorim’s departure, Manchester United confirmed that Darren Fletcher will take temporary charge for the upcoming midweek fixture against Burnley.
Nevertheless, speculation over the club’s next permanent manager has intensified, with several high-profile names already being linked to the role.
Rio Ferdinand has now added fuel to that discussion by publicly revealing his preferred candidates.
Posting on social media, the former United captain listed four potential options: Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi, England manager Thomas Tuchel, former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández, and caretaker manager Darren Fletcher — should he impress.
De Zerbi is a familiar name to United supporters, having previously been associated with the club and boasting Premier League experience from his time at Brighton.
Xavi, meanwhile, remains a long-standing target for United’s hierarchy and is reportedly under serious consideration. Tuchel was also evaluated by INEOS in the summer of 2024 before the club chose to persist with Erik ten Hag.
As for Fletcher, while he has earned praise for his work within United’s youth setup, many believe his lack of senior managerial experience makes him an unlikely long-term solution.
As Manchester United begin another critical chapter, Ferdinand’s comments underline the growing pressure on INEOS to make the right appointment — one that restores credibility, stability and belief at the Theatre of Dreams.
