The former Liverpool defender criticized Ruben Amorim on Sunday, just hours after his remarkable comments at Elland Road when he seemed to turn on the Manchester United hierarchy
11:22, 05 Jan 2026
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Head Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on December 12, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher publicly criticized Ruben Amorim after his comments against Leeds(Image: Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher’s Ruben Amorim verdict was quickly vindicated after the Manchester United head coach was sacked on Monday.
The former Liverpool center-back claimed Amorim is a “barely competent Premier League manager” on Sunday, and a little over 12 hours later, the 40-year-old was relieved of his duties.
Obviously, Carragher’s opinion had no bearing on that decision, but comments that were broadcast live on Sky Sports increased the scrutiny on Amorim, who publicly criticized the club’s hierarchy after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United. Amorim claimed he had been appointed as a manager rather than a head coach, and last week also implied that he was frustrated with the decision-making in the transfer market.
READ MORE: Next Man Utd manager odds as Ruben Amorim fired following Leeds drawREAD MORE: Liverpool proven right over Ruben Amorim decision after brutal Man Utd firing
Carragher, speaking a few hours later, was astounded by those remarks and said Amorim was in no position to criticize anyone at United, given his poor performance as head coach since taking charge.
“I don't think he is in any position whatsoever to be questioning the people who appointed him,” claimed the former Liverpool defender.
“He's not a good enough Manchester United manager. He's barely competent enough to be a Premier League manager right now.
Liverpool considered Ruben Amorim before appointing Arne Slot
Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on Monday
“That's not me being disrespectful to Ruben Amorim; I think he's been there now well over 12 months. I think the majority of managers in the Premier League who are all managing different clubs at different ends of the table would look at Manchester United and think ‘I get more points than that’.
“He couldn't have had too many complaints if the club parted company with him in the summer on the back of how poor it was last season,” Carragher continued, after rejected claims Amorim was not backed sufficiently in the transfer market.
“He can't keep complaining now about not having funds in January. Don't forget, they have no Champions League football, no European football. A lot of that was down to him and how the team performed last season.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher speaking on Sky Sports
Carragher was hugely criticial of Amorim on Sunday(Image: Sky Sports)
“Let's not forget, when he was brought in, the idea was to try and get them Champions League football. They were four points off the Champions League when he came in, they finished 15th.
“So when you talk about the lack of funds, that was down to him and the team and the players, and there was no way that he's going to get everything that he wants in one window.”
Carragher even predicted Amorim's end was at hand. "Well, I think what I said about [Enzo] Maresca rings true with Amorim , in that this could be over very quickly. Maresca was in a much stronger position to challenge his board or his owner than he was.
“He won the Club World Cup. He got the team into the Champions League. He did everything he was asked to do last season. Champions League football won the European trophy, Club World Cup. I still didn't think it was acceptable to challenge the people above him.
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“Amorim is in no position whatsoever to speak like that because I said he's a barely competent Premier League manager so far on what he's shown.”