After a difficult 14 months, Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have parted ways, with the squad likely to be split in terms of feelings on the matter.
Following Ruben Amorim’s comments post Leeds, there was a general feeling that his time was up at Manchester United.
Then, less than 24 hours later, United have decided to sack Amorim ‘reluctantly’, with a club statement confirming the decision to axe the Portuguese 40-year-old.
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Darren Fletcher is set to take charge when United head to Turf Moor on Wednesday night, which should see a return to more of a ‘United way’ of playing.
While Amorim was popular, ultimately the decision was the right one, with his results unacceptable at most clubs, never mind Manchester United.
But who will come out of this decision as the biggest winners and losers?
Winners
First up, the winners from Amorim’s departure.
Kobbie Mainoo: Anyone clicking on this article will have known who the biggest winner would be, Kobbie Mainoo, with the 20-year-old freed of a manager who had little interest in playing him.
All the talk around Mainoo leaving United in January will surely now end, with any other head coach likely to use the talented Carrington graduate.
Mainoo has a real chance to now play his way back into starting every game in a 4-2-3-1 system. United’s sacking of Amorim is beneficial enough alone for retaining and getting the best from Mainoo.
Joshua Zirkzee: For similar reasons to Mainoo, the United career of Joshua Zirkzee might also benefit massively from Amorim’s exit.
Zirkzee looked set to depart United, but his fortunes might be different under a new head coach who plays a better brand of football.
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With two goal contributions in two games, Zirkzee is fighting for his United career, and now he has a chance.
Marcus Rashford: Under no circumstances would Rashford have been coming back to United under Amorim; however, the change of head coach could impact this.
It all depends on who replaces Amorim, but a phone call from the right name with the right plans might tempt Rashford to return to his boyhood club.
Especially considering Rashford’s Barcelona loan isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, might a homecoming be in order?
Harry Amass: This season has seen Amass massively improve on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. Yet Amorim accused him of struggling despite back-to-back player of the month awards.
Amass will now know that he has a fresh slate, with the new manager more than likely to be a back four using coach, which suits the 18-year-old.
The chances of Amorim succeeding under Amorim were slim, but he has outlasted the 40-year-old and will be feeling good about things today.
Chido Obi: Despite being the first academy graduate under Amorim, Obi has been unseen this season as he learns his trade in the U21s.
However, Amorim also singled him out for criticism, which suggests the former head coach didn’t rate the 18-year-old.
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With Benjamin Sesko struggling, Fletcher may even turn to Obi in the next few games in order to give the Slovenian time out of the limelight. Minutes for Obi look a lot more likely.
Losers
And onto the losers.
Mason Mount: While Mount might be a success under any head coach who comes to the club, there is no denying that Amorim had an excellent relationship with the midfielder.
From week one, Amorim tipped Mount to be a key player for him, and he was right as the 26-year-old went from forgotten to must-start.
Mount suited Amorim’s system, and reverting to a winger formation won’t be ideal for him. But he has the quality to still be part of this club, hopefully, he doesn’t return to the player he was under Erik ten Hag.
Diogo Dalot: Despite some good performances this season, for the best part of 18 months, Dalot has been completely awful, no matter where he played.
However, Amorim rated the full-back, picking him in his leadership group and playing him every week.
This relationship won’t be as strong under the new manager, but for Dalot, it is hot and cold, as he would suit playing as a right back again.
Harry Maguire: Fans love Maguire as he has gone from zero to hero at the club in the past few years, however, without Amorim, it is difficult to see him remaining.
Amorim spoke glowingly about Maguire, extending his contract, and there were even questions around another extension this year. With his goals and clutch moments, earning Amorim his biggest wins, its easy to see why.
But now we would guess this is definitely his last year at the club.
Luke Shaw: This season has been the best Luke Shaw has had for years, shining on the left of Amorim’s back-three system.
He has also somehow managed to keep himself fit, which is hard to believe and suggests the lesser physical load of centre-back compared to full-back helped.
However, if used as a left-back going forward, United might see Shaw back to his old problems.
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