Amorim’s Departure: A Reflection of Management Discontent at Old Trafford

The aftermath of Amorim’s dismissal has exposed deep-seated fractures between the coaching staff and the boardroom at Old Trafford. Though his remarks following the 1-1 draw against Leeds United were the tipping point, the groundwork for his exit was laid months earlier amidst tense discussions concerning player recruitment. Frustrated, Amorim made headlines by insisting on being designated as the “manager” rather than merely the “head coach.”

At 40, Amorim felt that his authority was consistently undermined by sporting director Jason Wilcox and head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who frequently dismissed his suggestions in favor of their own data-driven selections. While Amorim advocated for seasoned, Premier League-proven players to stabilize the team’s performance, the club’s management pursued high-potential prospects with resale value. This ideological divergence resulted in the rejection of seven key players that Amorim deemed vital for his strategic vision.

The initial point of contention was the goalkeeping situation. With Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir struggling with consistency, Amorim sought a definitive solution, favoring Emiliano Martinez, the Aston Villa goalkeeper and World Cup champion with Argentina. Reports indicate that Martinez was prepared to transfer and was awaiting a call on deadline day. Although the deal would have cost United £40 million—an amount Amorim considered reasonable for such an accomplished player—the INEOS-led leadership group chose not to approve the acquisition due to Martinez’s age. Instead, they opted for 23-year-old Senne Lammens, who had only one year of professional experience, at a cost of £18 million. While Lammens has shown promise this season, the decision to overlook the head coach’s preference for a proven world champion set a troubling precedent.

While the goalkeeping choice sparked debate, the decision regarding a striker has proven to be disastrous. Amorim advocated for signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, viewing the England international as an ideal tactical fit. Conversely, Vivell pushed for Benjamin Sesko, a costly acquisition at £74 million, based on his potential. Unfortunately, that investment has not yet borne fruit, with Sesko scoring only two goals in 17 appearances this season. Amorim expressed frustration at being compelled to rely on an inexperienced talent while his preferred option flourished elsewhere.

Adding to Amorim’s discontent was the board’s outright refusal to sign players from his former club, Sporting CP. He had identified four essential targets to help implement his system: Geovany Quenda, Ousmane Diomande, Salvador Blopa, and Morten Hjulmand. The club’s management feared repeating the mistakes of Erik ten Hag’s time at Ajax, where the squad became overly populated with former players who struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Consequently, valuable targets were dismissed solely due to their ties with Sporting.

The most significant oversight was Quenda, an 18-year-old prodigy who was available and had even engaged in talks with United. However, scouts felt his profile resembled that of Amad too closely, leading to a cooling of interest that allowed Chelsea to secure him for £42 million. Similarly, Amorim viewed Hjulmand as the perfect midfield anchor, requiring little tactical adjustment. The board disagreed, opting to wait for targets earmarked for the summer of 2026. Defenders Diomande and Blopa were also removed from consideration, leaving Amorim with a defense that lacked the specific characteristics needed for his preferred back-three formation.

The final rejected signing was Nuno Mendes, the Paris Saint-Germain left-back, whom Amorim saw as a crucial addition to his wing-back strategy. He believed Mendes possessed the elite technical skills necessary to disrupt defenses on the left side. However, the club deemed pursuing Mendes too challenging or costly. Instead, they opted for Patrick Dorgu from Lecce. While Dorgu shows potential, he does not offer the immediate experience that Mendes would have provided.

With the team currently sitting fifth in the league, merely four points above the 14th position, the failure to support Amorim with these seven critical signings has left interim manager Darren Fletcher with a fragmented squad. The board’s focus on potential over immediate impact has ultimately cost Amorim his position, leaving fans to ponder what could have been had moves for Martinez, Watkins, and Mendes been greenlit.