Ruben Amorim was fired by Manchester United at the start of 2026, giving the club another fresh start.
When Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim, fans were split on whether another mid-season dismissal was the right move.
Surely despite the misgivings, Amorim deserved the chance to at least complete a full season in charge and see where it went?
Those conversations would be developing in more detail if Manchester United’s choice of replacement had flopped in the same way Liam Rosenior crashed and burned at Chelsea.
Thankfully, Ineos’ smart decision to hire Michael Carrick paid off, with the team set to finish in third place in the Premier League.
Carrick is set to be rewarded with the job on a full-time basis.
Before this becomes official, a triple announcement from the Premier League has ended up scorching what remains of Ruben Amorim’s ‘legacy’ at Manchester United.
What position would Man Utd be in NOW if Ruben Amorim was still head coach?
Let's hear your views!!!
Premier League award nominations speak volumes
Amorim blow number one
It is awards season, and Manchester United fans on our website have already voted Bruno Fernandes as the club’s player of the year.
In an official announcement from the Premier League, it was confirmed that Bruno Fernandes has been nominated for the fan voted Player of the Season Award.
Fernandes would become the first Manchester United player to win this award since Nemanja Vidic in 2010/11. He already won the FWA’s Footballer of the Year Award.
The Portugal international’s form has improved significantly under Michael Carrick, where he has been played in his correct position.
Fernandes did not provide a single assist in his first seven Premier League games of the season, with Amorim playing him in a deeper midfield role.
Now restored in attacking midfield, Fernandes’ rate of chances created has improved, and he is now on the verge of a Premier League record, with 19 assists this season, and counting.
While Fernandes was able to make the best of his role under Amorim, his subsequent success asks questions about the former head coach’s judgment.
Where does playing Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role rank among Ruben Amorim’s mistakes?
Amorim blow number two
The most significant blind spot of the Ruben Amorim era was his decision to completely omit Kobbie Mainoo, who did not start a single Premier League game this season.
Amorim’s snub caused Mainoo to consider leaving Manchester United.
It was also a direct consequence of his decision to play Bruno Fernandes deeper. One bad decision created a second potentially catastrophic error.
Now re-integrated to as a first team regular under Michael Carrick, Mainoo has re-committed his future to the club with a new long-term contract.
And even though he only played for half the season, the Premier League has nominated Kobbie Mainoo for the Young Player of the Season Award.
It is major recognition for Mainoo’s performances in the limited games he has had to showcase his ability.
Mainoo took only one game under Michael Carrick to make Ruben Amorim look foolish.
He has been doing it on a weekly basis ever since.
The Premier League’s nomination validates everything Manchester United fans have been saying about Kobbie Mainoo’s performances in recent weeks.
And it makes Amorim look like a total dud for refusing to start the youngster even once this season in the league.
Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract is OFFICIAL – let’s hear your instant reaction!!!
We nearly lost him…!
Amorim blow number three
Michael Carrick has surprisingly been nominated for Premier League Manager of the Season.
While we do not expect Carrick to win the award, just to be in the conversation for it speaks volumes to the good work he has done.
Carrick has managed only 15 games at Manchester United.
He has taken United up to third position. The Red Devils were in sixth place when Amorim was sacked, failing to reach the top four under the Portuguese.
Sixth was still an acceptable improvement on the disaster of last season, but United’s board felt this team were capable of more – and they were clearly right.
The club had even slipped to seventh before Carrick’s appointment.
Even looking at a best case scenario, third seemed extreme.
Carrick has surpassed expectations in a way Amorim was never able to get close to doing.
He won three games in a row in his first three matches in charge. It took Amorim nine months to even win two in a row.
Michael Carrick and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are set for ‘formal talks’ over the Man Utd job / What is your reaction?
Amorim must rebuild reputation elsewhere
Ruben Amorim will always feel that he would have ended the season strongly at United, but there is no guarantee. It could just as easily have gone the other way.
Carrick has delivered, and he has helped Bruno Fernandes to reach a new level, while rejuvenating Kobbie Mainoo.
Manchester United feels like Manchester United again, and there is Champions League football to look forward to next season.
Amorim’s reputation might not have been dented if United had finished the season down in 10th. He could have argued that he was wrongfully dismissed – despite forcing his exit.
But now his reputation and decision-making is in tatters.
The real question is ‘how did Manchester United stick with him for so long?’
Amorim’s stock is at rock bottom, and he must rebuild his reputation elsewhere. His failure at Manchester United will sting him for a long time.
Should Ruben Amorim have been FIRED right after the Europa League Final defeat?
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