Manchester United make decision to sack Ruben Amorim as head coach

Amorim leaves the Red Devils following a 1-1 draw away at Leeds United on Sunday with the side sixth in the Premier League standings.

United have confirmed that club's current U18s coach and former player Darren Fletcher will take charge of the first team for the away fixture against Burnley on Wednesday.

Amorim joined United from Spring Lisbon just more than a year ago, with the Portguese mentor then overseeing the club finishing 15th in the league table last season and then losing the Europa League final against Tottenham.

A statement from Manchester United said: "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."

It seems Amorim's position became untenable after he took aim at his employers, and director of football Jason Wilcox in particular, over the January transfer window and what he saw as his lack of control at the club.

Follwing the draw at Leeds on Sunday, 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 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.

"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."