Where does the blame lie for what ultimately proved to be a car-crash 14-month tenure for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United?
The INEOS regime had moved away from the Portuguese coach in the summer of 2024, after flirting with the idea of sacking Erik ten Hag, only to then push hard for Amorim again just a matter of months later, even with concerns over his 3-4-2-1 system.
Having almost forced the Sporting CP boss to depart Lisbon mid-season, Jason Wilcox and co appear to have been surprised that Amorim has remained wedded to that back three approach, with the 40-year-old’s sacking earlier this month seemingly a result of everything coming to a head after a turbulent festive period.
Amorim himself certainly isn’t blameless, having at last adapted and altered his thinking in late December, only to then backtrack for the dismal draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The man responsible for United’s worst-ever Premier League finish, and lowest Premier League win ratio, Amorim’s tenure isn’t one that will be looked back on fondly. That being said, it wasn’t a disaster for everyone…
Man Utd’s biggest success stories under Amorim
A continued debate throughout Amorim’s tenure was whether he was getting the best out of captain Bruno Fernandes in a deep-lying role, albeit with the 31-year-old still ending last season with 38 goals and assists in all competitions, despite having not scored until Ruud van Nistelrooy took interim charge.
Fernandes has again been instrumental this season as part of the midfield two, leading the way for assists at Old Trafford, while only behind Bryan Mbeumo for goals scored.
Whether it is because of or in spite of Amorim’s approach, Fernandes’ quality has still shone through, with the same true of his midfield partner, Casemiro, to a large degree.
The Brazilian looked dead and buried following that infamous night at Selhurst Park in May 2024, although has since recovered to emerge as a regular fixture again over the last 18 months or so, scoring four times himself this season after usurping Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield pecking order.
Another experienced head, Harry Maguire, has also shaken off being stripped of the captaincy by Ten Hag to emerge as a real leader again, scoring a string of pivotal goals in Amorim’s tenure, including away at Anfield and at home to Lyon.
The Englishman has become something of a clutch figure for the Red Devils, with the same also true of Amad, the player who arguably proved the biggest success of the lot from Amorim’s ill-fated tenure.
Why Amorim’s ‘best player’ could be under threat under Carrick
Like Mainoo under Amorim, Amad was frustratingly overlooked by Ten Hag too often prior to Amorim’s reign. Indeed, the Dutchman looked to the much-maligned Antony instead of the Ivorian, having pointed to the Brazilian’s training performances as a reason for that decision.
It didn’t look like happening with the ex-Ajax boss on board, although Amad was a man reborn following that dismissal, with only Fernandes registering more goals and assists for the club during Amorim’s tenure.
Noted as being the “best player under Ruben Amorim” by Statman Dave during the Portuguese’s early reign, that status remained over the next year or so, with the 23-year-old memorably netting vital goals himself against both Manchester City and Liverpool last season.
There was also his dazzling, late hat-trick to spare embarrassment against Southampton, while having been a reliable presence prior to heading for AFCON duty this time around, striking up a fine partnership with Mbeumo down that right flank.
Indeed, the two combined for the opening goals against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, with Amad arguably one of the key beneficiaries of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, having nailed down that right wing-back role behind new man Mbeumo.
That approach appeared to be the only way to get both men into the team, however, ensuring it could prove something of an issue with Michael Carrick now onboard, considering the Englishman is likely to shift to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
Of course, there is a world in which Amad could be deployed off the left, although his best work to date has come off the right, ensuring he might be in a straight fight with Mbeumo for that wide role moving forward.
Amad’s Man Utd record by coach
Manager
Games
Goals (Assists)
Ruben Amorim
43
10 (11)
Erik ten Hag
24
3 (3)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8
1 (1)
Ruud van Nistelrooy
4
2 (1)
Ralf Rangnick
1
0 (0)
Michael Carrick
0
0 (0)
Total
80
16
The ex-Atalanta wonderkid was arguably the shining light of 2025, alongside Fernandes, but Mbeumo’s quality is difficult to ignore, with the Cameroonian already scoring seven times in just 17 games following his move from Brentford.
With Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu options off the left, and with Fernandes likely to be deployed in the centre, it is difficult to see where Amad can slot in, unless Mbeumo is sidelined with injury.
Amorim, to his credit, found a way to get both men into his side, although it felt at times as if the only real winner – excluding the pool of centre-backs – from the 3-4-2-1 was Amad, with far too many other square pegs in round holes.
With Carrick now at the helm and a change of system in the offing, a stunning 2025 could be followed by a sticky 2026 for the £120k-per-week speedster.
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