Manchester United Sack Ruben Amorim: Winners, Losers, And The Future Of The Club‎

‎Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Ruben Amorim has sent shockwaves through Old Trafford, marking the end of one of the most turbulent 14-month spells in the club’s recent history.

‎While some fans and pundits had been calling for this moment for months, others viewed it as a frustratingly premature decision, particularly as there were signs that Amorim’s system was beginning to take shape.

‎Officially, United insists the move was purely footballing and had nothing to do with Amorim’s recent comments hinting at internal issues following their 1-1 draw with Leeds.

‎Yet, with the club sitting sixth in the Premier League, just three points off the top four, it’s difficult to separate the footballing rationale from the politics behind the scenes.

‎The real question now is, who emerges stronger from this decision, and who could be left looking over their shoulders?

‎Winners

‎Kobbie Mainoo

‎Mainoo has arguably been the biggest beneficiary of Amorim’s departure. The young midfielder, instrumental to United before Amorim’s arrival, had been largely frozen out of the first team despite impressive performances, including helping England reach the EURO 2024 final.

‎Frustrated, Mainoo pushed for a loan move during the summer, but United refused. His opportunities under Amorim were limited to just 212 minutes across 11 appearances, with no Premier League starts.

‎Now, with Amorim gone, Mainoo’s chances of regular first-team football look significantly brighter. Likely, his patience and perhaps those “Free Kobbie Mainoo” chants will finally be rewarded.

‎Joshua Zirkzee

‎Like Mainoo, Zirkzee struggled for consistent minutes under Amorim, often overshadowed by new signings like Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Benjamin Sesko.

‎Despite this, the Dutch striker has demonstrated glimpses of his quality, scoring two goals and providing one assist in limited Premier League minute

‎With Sesko struggling to adapt to English football and Amorim gone, Zirkzee could see his fortunes take a dramatic turn.

‎A player once tipped for an exit in January, particularly with Roma circling, may now get a long-awaited second chance to prove himself at United.

‎Manchester United (as a club)

‎While the past 14 months have been challenging, the club itself could be considered a winner in the long term. Amorim’s tenure was marked by inconsistent results, tactical confusion, and a lack of cohesion, but his departure offers a chance for a fresh startDor

‎United fans can now look forward to a managerial reset, with hopes pinned on the next appointment.

‎The key challenge for INEOS, the club’s ownership group, will be ensuring this next hire is the right fit for a club with lofty expectations and a complex squad.

‎Losers

‎Patrick Dorgu

‎Dorgu, signed specifically to operate as a left wing-back in Amorim’s back three, may find his role obsolete under a manager who doesn’t deploy the same system.

‎His skill set, tailored to a highly specialized role, may not fit United’s broader tactical framework, potentially limiting his opportunities for game time.

‎Luke Shaw

‎Shaw has arguably enjoyed his most consistent run in years under Amorim, starting every Premier League match and playing full 90 minutes in 11 of them. Positioned as a left-sided centre-back in Amorim’s back three, Shaw was able to combine defensive solidity with reduced physical strain.

‎However, with the likely return to a back four system under an interim manager, Shaw may face increased physical demands, exposing him to the risk of injuries and a potential drop in form.

‎His comfort under Amorim’s system could be difficult to replicate in the coming months.

‎Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS

‎Since taking over, INEOS has faced growing scrutiny over its management and decision-making. They initially backed Erik ten Hag but later sacked him, brought in Dan Ashworth as sporting director only to ignore his recommendations, and then appointed Ruben Amorim mid-season.

‎However, they quickly reversed course again, raising further questions about the club’s stability.

‎This series of rapid, high-stakes decisions has come at a cost not just in footballing terms, but also in human terms. Ordinary staff and employees have been affected, and the leadership’s competence has been called into question.

‎The entire episode is a damning reflection on how not to run one of the world’s most iconic football clubs.

‎Ruben Amorim is likely to find success elsewhere in Europe, but his United experiment simply wasn’t the right fit.

‎The hope for fans now is that the next managerial appointment brings stability, clarity, and a tactical vision that fits the squad rather than forcing a system upon it.