Amorim’s Tenure at Manchester United: A Rapid Turnaround and Player Departures

Ruben Amorim assumed managerial responsibilities at Manchester United in November 2024, promptly announcing his intention to implement a 3-4-3 system that had previously led to success at Sporting.

However, this tactical approach did not align with the strengths of several key wingers at the club, including Brazilian international Antony, homegrown talent Marcus Rashford, and England forward Jadon Sancho, all of whom have since departed from Manchester.

Alejandro Garnacho, another product of the renowned United academy, also struggled to adapt to Amorim’s methods. Concerns regarding the 21-year-old’s attitude emerged, culminating in the realization by the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign that his future at United was bleak under the Portuguese manager. Garnacho eventually completed a £40 million transfer to Chelsea, eager to start anew at Stamford Bridge while keeping a watchful eye on developments at Old Trafford.

On January 5, it was reported that Amorim had been dismissed from his position in Manchester after overseeing just 63 matches. His departure was attributed to inconsistent performances on the field and criticisms directed at the United board off the pitch.

After United’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final, Garnacho hinted at his desire to distance himself from Amorim’s leadership. He expressed uncertainty about his future, stating, “Up until the final I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know. The final will influence my decision but the whole season, the situation of the club. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens afterwards.”

His brother, Roberto, took to social media to voice frustrations, commenting on Garnacho’s limited playing time despite his contributions in previous finals.

Garnacho’s discontent with Amorim was evident when he liked an Instagram post by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, which confirmed the dismissal of yet another manager from Manchester United. Reflecting on his transition to Chelsea, Garnacho stated, “Sometimes in life you have to change things to take a step forward or to improve as a player. It was the right moment, also the right club, so it was an easy decision.

I spoke with [Maresca, before joining], he explained everything to me. Now working together, I think we are doing well, and we are going to improve with time. He trusts me, which is most important. There’s confidence between manager and player.”

However, Garnacho is currently without a coach, as Maresca also faced dismissal from Chelsea in early 2026. The club is now in talks to appoint former Derby and Hull City manager Liam Rosenior, who will be eager to assess Garnacho’s potential.

Meanwhile, Manchester United has announced that Darren Fletcher will take over first-team operations on an interim basis, with Maresca among the candidates linked to a potential return to management at Old Trafford.