Ruben Amorim Relieved of Coaching Duties at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim has been relieved of his coaching duties at Manchester United following a 63-game, 14-month tenure. This decision was officially announced on January 5, although it is reported that it was made prior to a 1-1 draw against Leeds, during which the Portuguese manager expressed concerns regarding the club’s management.

In the interim, Darren Fletcher, currently the U18 manager, has been appointed to oversee first-team affairs. Reports indicate that Manchester United is looking for a temporary appointment to guide the team until the end of the 2025-26 season, while longer-term strategies are being formulated concurrently.

As Fletcher takes charge, several former Manchester United favorites are being considered for a caretaker role, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a 1999 Treble winner and former manager, as well as ex-midfielder Michael Carrick.

Owen, who serves as a UK ambassador for Casino.org, expressed his thoughts on the club’s approach, stating, “I think so. I particularly like the Michael Carrick option. He has obviously had a little experience before and did a fine job at Middlesbrough. I can see that being a possibility. Although he didn’t seem eager to return, if the right opportunity arises, I’m sure he would consider it.”

He further noted, “It’s always challenging to make changes mid-season, as many leading candidates are already employed and difficult to entice away. If Fletcher performs well, especially with upcoming matches against Burnley and Brighton, it would be challenging to replace him with another candidate such as Carrick or Solskjaer. Therefore, it’s plausible that Fletcher could maintain the role until season’s end.”

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is reportedly a leading candidate for the permanent position. The future full-time manager will be tasked with restoring Manchester United’s competitiveness on both domestic and international fronts.

Chief executive Omar Berrada previously outlined ‘Project 150’ in September 2024, emphasizing a strategic focus on achieving specific targets. He stated in June 2025, “Can the team win the Premier League title by 2028? Absolutely. Although we’ve just finished 15th, aiming high is essential.”

When asked about the club’s potential to meet this target under new leadership, Owen remarked, “With two-and-a-half years ahead, if things go well… They possess some talented players, but they will require an excellent manager and three or four additional high-quality recruits. Success in football can change rapidly. While it may seem unlikely for them to win the league in that timeframe, stranger things have occurred.”

Owen continued, “With the right momentum, the club is poised for success. Despite Old Trafford aging, substantial investments have been made in the training facilities and squad. The entire organization, including the fanbase, is built for success. Once the momentum shifts, progress can accelerate quickly. However, achieving that shift has proven challenging over the past decade.”

Currently, Manchester United sits sixth in the Premier League table and will compete again on Wednesday against Burnley. Although they are without European football this season and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by League Two team Grimsby, they still have the opportunity to finish the season strongly and lay a foundation for future success.