Latest Manchester United news as pressure to sack Ruben Amorim increases after poor Premier League results
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)View Image
Ruben Amorim has not even been Manchester United manager for an entire whole calendar year but is facing scrutiny over his position at the club.
A 3-1 defeat at Brentford - a third in six total matches in the 2025/26 campaign so far - has left United stranded in 14th place. They are eight points shy of the top of the Premier League, four points off the top-four, and are the same total above the relegation zone at this early stage.
But it was only 11 months ago that Amorim's predecessor, Erik ten Hag, was dismissed after managing to collect only 11 points from their opening nine matches, with his side also sitting 14th at the time.
With results in their current state, Amorim faces the same heavy pressure the Dutchman experienced this time last year.
Start to the season
Seven points after six matches means 2025/26 is United's worst start to a Premier League season since they achieved the same tally at the same stage of the 1992/93 campaign.
Equalling unwanted records such as this is naturally going to pile the pressure right back on Amorim.
There was also the matter of exiting the Carabao Cup at the second round stage to League Two outfit Grimsby Town last month.
This is all after spending £216m on three attackers this summer, who have scored a combined three goals between themselves, plus a back-up goalkeeper. No additions were made to the midfield or defence.
Sack verdicts
Micah Richards is the latest to tell United their patience with Amorim is not leading to the intended reward.
The BBC Sport pundit said: "I think because Ruben Amorim is being so stubborn in what he’s trying to do, it could be the undoing of him down the line. We can talk about the owners backing him, but ultimately it’s just not working."
Martin Keown also questioned the club's faith in the coach, adding: "It seemed obvious that [Graham] Potter was going to lose his job [at West Ham], so with Amorim, why is it not the same for him?
"Is it because we're now the ninth manager in 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left? This stubbornness to play the same way - they look very ordinary.
"Mbeumo playing against his old team must be wondering 'what on earth have I signed for?' Because the team he plays against, his old team, was way better than them today. This is Manchester United in dire trouble right now. Decisions need to be made."
Cost of sacking Amorim
If United made the decision to relieve Amorim of his duties, they would incur a hefty cost.
According to The Daily Mail, they would have to cough up £12m. The Portuguese was appointed on November 1, 2025, and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a 12-month extension.
United paid around £9.2m to buy him out of his Sporting CP contract, and should they decide to part ways within the first year of his contract, they will have to pay what is still owed as compensation.
Replacement talk
Rumours are already beginning to circulate about who could potentially replace Amorim in the dugout at Old Trafford.
Former England boss Gareth Southgate, former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, and current Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner are three of the star names linked with the role. There have been tentative reports around Sean Dyche and even Potter, who became the latest Premier League managerial casualty at West Ham only yesterday.
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But BBC Sport report that 'shortlists of replacements having been drawn up have been dismissed by United officials, who are adamant no-one is being lined up to replace Amorim'.