Amorim’s Outburst Highlights Tensions at Manchester United

After a lackluster 1-1 draw against Premier League rivals Leeds United, Manchester United’s manager, Amorim, took the opportunity to address his frustrations in a press conference. His comments were pointed, particularly aimed at the club’s executives, with reports indicating that his discontent was specifically directed towards Wilcox, who had previously been reluctant to appoint him back in November 2024.

When asked about his standing with the board, Amorim responded, “To start with that, I noticed that you received selective information about everything. I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not just the coach. And that is clear.”

He further distinguished himself from other prominent managers, such as Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte, and Jose Mourinho, who are known for their hands-on involvement in recruitment and club operations. Amorim asserted, “I’m the manager of Manchester United. And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or until the board decides to make a change. I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another person replaces me.”

Reports suggest that the relationship between Wilcox and Amorim had soured before the match against Leeds. According to The Sun, Wilcox described himself as “like a manager,” emphasizing that Amorim was merely the coach. This assertion reportedly frustrated Amorim, who has been vocal about needing more support from the club in the transfer market.

Particularly, Amorim was discontent with the club’s decision not to pursue a transfer for Antoine Semenyo, who subsequently joined Manchester City. The ongoing discord within the club’s management structure continues to hinder United, which has long struggled with subpar recruitment, resulting in a disjointed squad and erratic performances.

Amorim has strongly adhered to his preferred 3-4-3 formation, demanding signings that align with his tactical vision. This has led to scrutiny regarding his perceived risk-averse style of play. Despite these challenges, he made significant summer signings, overhauling the frontline with players like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, as well as acquiring wing-backs to enhance his pace and energy-focused approach.

Currently, Darren Fletcher has stepped in as interim manager, overseeing a 2-2 draw against Burnley earlier this week. He is set to lead the team as they face Brighton in the FA Cup third round. The Seagulls have a commendable record at Old Trafford and will likely view this match as an opportunity against the inconsistent Red Devils.

The timeline for a permanent managerial appointment remains uncertain, with speculation suggesting the club may delay until summer to finalize a decision. This could result in Fletcher preparing the squad for a critical derby match against Manchester City on January 17, where they could potentially impact City’s title ambitions.

As of now, Pep Guardiola’s team sits six points behind league leaders Arsenal and is eager to close the gap, having drawn their initial three matches of 2026 against Brighton, Chelsea, and Sunderland.