There were four major factors behind Manchester United’s decision to finally part ways with Ruben Amorim after a turbulent managerial period at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United manager came to an end on Monday morning, with the Red Devils announcing his sacking from the Premier League club.
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The 40-year-old former United manager’s last match in charge was at Elland Road, with United drawing 1-1 with Leeds United in their Premier League clash on Sunday.
Amorim sparked controversy in the aftermath of United’s clash with Leeds United, with the Portuguese coach taking aim at the Premier League club’s hierarchy.
The ex-United head coach’s tenure became untenable after his bombshell post-match press conference and Amorim was dismissed as the Red Devils’ boss.
1. Ruben Amorim’s stance on his tactical system at Man Utd
Ruben Amorim’s tactical system at Manchester United was hugely contentious during his reign at Old Trafford and was one of the reasons that led to his sacking.
Sky Sports reported that the former Sporting CP coach refused to ‘evolve his preferred 3-4-3 system’ at the Premier League club ahead of his sacking.
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BBC Sport also cited United insiders who said that the Red Devils had not witnessed ‘sufficient evidence of evolution’ when it came to the first team under Amorim.
Amorim’s 14-month spell at United saw the Red Devils pivot to a three-man backline, dropping wingers for wing-backs and adopting two No 10s in support of the attack.
2. Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd tactics at Old Trafford
Speaking of Amorim’s tactical system at Old Trafford, the former United manager’s position on his tactics played a key part in his dismissal at the Premier League club.
According to Sky Sports, United had a ‘breakdown in confidence’ in Amorim over the former Braga manager’s ‘refusal to adapt’ his tactical system at the Red Devils.
Amorim made a rare pivot towards the tail end of 2025 after he switched from his 3-4-2-1 system to a 4-2-3-1 formation in United’s 1-0 home win over Newcastle.
However, the ex-Sporting CP head coach walked back on the tactical change in United’s subsequent 1-1 draw against Wolves at Old Trafford in December 2025.
3. Man Utd’s current position under Ruben Amorim since his 2024 appointment and the reaction of the club
The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League table and are three points adrift from fourth-place Liverpool after United’s 1-1 draw against Leeds United at the weekend.
United’s form has been erratic under Amorim in the 2025-26 campaign and the Red Devils have dropped costly points in their pursuit of the Premier League top four.
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BBC Sport revealed that United sources had informed them that the Red Devils had not seen ‘sufficient evidence’ of the Premier League club’s ‘progress’ under Amorim.
United have only won eight of their 20 Premier League matches this season, with the sixth-place Red Devils suffering five defeats and picking up seven draws.
4. Ruben Amorim’s conduct at Man Utd spoke volumes and sent a clear-cut message
The ‘key factor in the decision’ that led to Amorim’s sudden exit from United is reportedly the former Casa Pia manager’s ‘emotional and inconsistent behaviour.’
That is according to Sky Sports, with Amorim’s conduct believed to be the final straw of his United reign under the Ineos regime and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s co-ownership.
Amorim has played with fire with his comments since he left Sporting CP and replaced former United manager Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout in 2024.
The ex-Red Devils boss was not afraid to pull no punches during his reign and his emotionally-charged comments after the Leeds match ultimately cost him his role.
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