Gary Neville has pinpointed the game that proved to be a ‘killer moment’ for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United following an abysmal run of results over the Christmas period.
Manchester United decided to sack Ruben Amorim last Monday, but the story continues to dominate the headlines.
It took United just over a week to appoint Michael Carrick as head coach for the remainder of the season. The former midfield ace and Middlesbrough manager takes over from Darren Fletcher, who stepped into the caretaker role for two matches, including United’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton in the FA Cup third round.
Carrick saw off competition from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy for the role.
Ruben Amorim’s BIGGEST MISTAKE at Manchester United was ________________
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park in 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
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The 44-year-old will take charge of his first game on Saturday in the Manchester derby.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what the next chapter holds for Amorim. He may use this time to reflect on why his reign at Old Trafford didn’t go to plan after finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League in his first season, plus not getting good enough results this term.
Ruben Amorim against Wolves
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Gary Neville believes Man Utd lost faith in Ruben Amorim after Wolves draw
Everybody has had a week to reflect on United’s decision to sack Amorim.
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Many have criticised the club’s lack of planning, while others agree with Carrick’s appointment until the end of the season to allow Ineos time to decide what they want from a permanent head coach.
It’s no secret now that the decision to hire Amorim didn’t go to plan. If anything, the team went backwards following his arrival, even after a dire start to the 2024/25 campaign led to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal mid-season.
Gary Neville has now given his verdict on when he believes the United board lost faith in Amorim.
The former club captain pinpoints United’s 1-1 draw with Wolves when Amorim reverted to his preferred system without getting three points.
“I think what actually in the end probably will have cost him is results have cost him 100%,” Neville said on the latest episode of Stick To Football.
“What will have cost him in the end is he gave a glimmer of hope, in the Bournemouth, Newcastle and Villa games he changed. I don’t know what he did but he definitely changed. And it meant there was more attacking players on the pitch and it was just a bit more thrilling even though they lost against Villa they drew against Bournemouth at home and to be fair, luckily beat Newcastle.
“And then he’s gone back, I think probably through his sort of what would be, not ego, but ‘I’m going back to my way’ against Wolves I think that’s the killer moment I think when he goes back against Wolves and doesn’t beat them at home I think that’s a killer moment that.”
How will YOU remember Ruben Amorim? What is his LEGACY at Man Utd?
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Only time will tell if a system change under Carrick can lead United to improved results. The only way to achieve United’s main objective of qualifying for the Champions League is by winning football matches between now and the end of the season.
Ruben Amorim was ready to quit Man Utd
Amorim has yet to break his silence on his departure from Old Trafford, but that has not stopped the newspapers from digging into how the Portuguese coach felt in his final days at United.
A strong relationship with Jason Wilcox was tested in the final weeks of Amorim’s reign, with a row taking place during a meeting over tactics in the days that led up to United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road.
That proved to be Amorim’s final match as United head coach as he was given his marching orders less than 24 hours later.
According to The Sun, Amorim was ready to step down from his role at United three days before he was sacked.
Amorim would have saved United approximately £12 million in compensation fees had he resigned.
The report claims Amorim told close friends he was resigning before his agent, Raul Costa, managed to change his mind.
Costa stressed that United should either back Amorim or dismiss him.
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