Ruben Amorim Sacked After Recording Worst Win-Rate of Any Man United Boss Since 1972

Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim less than 24 hours after his explosive post-match rant following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds United.

United decided to part company with Amorim on Monday morning, bringing an abrupt end to his 420-day reign at Old Trafford.

The decision came amid growing internal unease over Amorim’s public frustration with the club’s structure — frustration that boiled over in a fiery press conference at Elland Road.

Man United sack Ruben Amorim after outburst

Amorim’s outburst on Sunday followed questions about comments he had made earlier this season, in which he appeared to hint that Manchester United’s recruitment model had limited his ability to implement his preferred 3-4-3 system.

After initially declining to expand on those remarks before the Leeds match, Amorim addressed the issue directly afterwards.

“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach,” he said. “That is clear.”

The Portuguese coach repeatedly stressed that his role was meant to extend beyond first-team coaching, insisting that responsibility should be shared across the club rather than falling solely on him.

“Every department — the scouting department, the sporting director — needs to do their job,” Amorim added. “I will do mine for 18 months, and then we move on.”

He also rejected suggestions that he was preparing to walk away from the role himself, stating: “I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”

That distinction — and the confusion around whether Amorim was Manchester United’s manager or head coach — had already become a major talking point before Sunday’s draw, with Amorim increasingly frustrated by the limits of his authority behind the scenes.

United hierarchy lost patience with Amorim

Despite insisting he would not resign, Amorim’s comments were not well received by those above him at Old Trafford.

Behind the scenes, United executives were already concerned that the head coach was publicly challenging the club’s operational model, particularly by questioning whether key departments were delivering on previous assurances.

By Monday morning, the board had concluded that the relationship had become untenable.

Worst Man United manager (or head coach) since 1972?

Amorim departs Old Trafford having won 24 of his 63 matches in charge, drawing 18 and losing 21.

His win percentage of 38.10% is the lowest recorded by any permanent Manchester United boss since Frank O’Farrell, who left the club in 1972.

How Ruben Amorim’s win percentage compares to previous Man United managers this century

Manager / Head coach	Games	Wins	Win %
Ruben Amorim (2024–2026)	63	24	38.10%
Erik ten Hag (2022–2024)	128	70	54.69%
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018–2021)	168	91	54.17%
Jose Mourinho (2016–2018)	144	84	58.33%
Louis van Gaal (2014–2016)	103	54	52.43%
David Moyes (2013–2014)	51	27	52.94%
Sir Alex Ferguson (1986–2013)	1,500	895	59.67%

Amorim’s win-rate in the Premier League was even lower at just 32% — the worst of all of United’s Prem bosses. As reported by Opta, Amorim also had a worse goals conceded per game ratio (1.53) and clean sheet ratio (15%) than any of his predecessors.

United finished 12th in the 2025 Premier League calendar year table, and while injuries and squad imbalance were mitigating factors, the combination of poor results and a public breakdown in messaging ultimately proved decisive.

1 – In the Premier League, Rúben Amorim had the worst win ratio (32%), the worst goals conceded per game ratio (1.53) and the lowest clean ratio (15%) of any Manchester United manager. Coach. pic.twitter.com/oZMVat44Us

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 5, 2026

How Man United announced Amorim’s departure

United confirmed the departure of Amorim in a 106-word statement. It read: “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United.

“Ruben was appointed in November, 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May.

“With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.

“The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future.

“Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.”