Has Ruben Amorim been sacked? Latest news, updates on Man United manager and what it means for player transfers

Has Ruben Amorim been sacked? Latest news, updates on Man United manager and what it means for player transfers originally appeared on The Sporting News

Ruben Amorim has endured some tough moments as Manchester United head coach, but exiting the Carabao Cup at the hands of fourth-tier Grimsby Town will take some beating in that regard.

United were actually outplayed by their lowly opponents in the first half and trailed 2-0 at the interval. They fought back to draw 2-2 but ultimately lost on penalties, after which Amorim claimed it would not have been fair had they gone through anyway.

It seems remarkable that there was an air of positivity around the Red Devils just two weeks ago following a largely good preseason and an enterprising performance in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal. An insipid draw at Fulham and their humiliation at Grimsby has marked something of a turning point for Amorim, with some fans, the majority of whom had been unequivocal in their backing of the manager, now doubting whether he should continue. Even the man himself seems to be doubting his own abilities.

Amorim said there would be a time to "think" during the September international break. So, will he still be in charge by then? The Sporting News examines the latest.

MORE:Ruben Amorim's awful Man United record | How much it would cost to sack Amorim

Has Ruben Amorim been sacked?

As of August 28, Amorim remains in charge of Manchester United's men's first team.

The club has been silent since the Grimsby debacle on whether they back the Portuguese to turn things around, but that is no great surprise: they will want the dust to settle before offering any indications over their next move.

However, there is no denying that the humbling experience on England's east coast has left Amorim in a much more precarious position. Oddsmakers in the UK slashed his price as the next Premier League manager to leave his job in the aftermath of the game, meaning only West Ham's Graham Potter was considered more likely to depart next.

Amorim's post-game comments did not help matters in that regard.

Ruben Amorim latest news, updates: Grimsby interview sparks concern

Amorim made absolutely no secret of his anger at his team's performance against Grimsby, whether he was speaking to national broadcasters or the club's own TV channel.

Evidently trying to keep his anger in check, Amorim told ITV that he was "shocked" by what he had seen, and suggested his future was in doubt because "you can feel that something has to change and you are not going to change 22 players again".

He also seemed to accuse his players of not being up for the fight, or perhaps being incapable of performing to his expectations amid the heavy scrutiny on everything connected to United. "We know that in the moment, people will pay attention to everything, it's massive — every detail," he said. "We showed that performance today. My players spoke for me, really loud."

Ruben Amorim's domestic record at Manchester United ✍️ pic.twitter.com/KvQznJBlNQ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 28, 2025

He added to MUTV: "I just want to say sorry to our fans; I have nothing to say anymore about the performance. When everything is so important in our club and you try to do everything, you have come from preseason, even Arsenal you lose the game but you are there, you are improving and you see the performance, but then reach this kind of game, when everything is so important in our club, and when you start a game like this...

"I think my players are talking really loud about what they want, so I'm really sorry to our fans, I have nothing to say anymore."

Amorim's latest public dressing-down of his players — he did this on several occasions last season — suggests he does not think they are capable of heeding his demands, or that he can't get his message across, or that the squad is not convinced by his methods, or a combination of all three. The images of him scrutinising a tactics board during the second half at Grimsby, and the way he seemed to hide in the dugout during the penalty shootout, are being used as further proof that this is a manager who has lost control of his surroundings. He even seemed to dismiss United's next league game, at home to Burnley on August 30, as something simply to get out of the way before a proper debrief can take place during the September international break.

The next time he is due to speak to the media will be on August 29, when he previews the game against the Clarets at Old Trafford.

Could Ruben Amorim resign?

It has been suggested Amorim could take matters into his own hands at quit United. He's considered it before.

In an interview conducted during United's 2025 preseason tour, Amorim confessed there was a time last season when he considered handing in his resignation. After they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham in May, the coach said he would walk away without severance pay if it was felt he was not the right man for the role, saying: "If the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation."

Amorim's remarks after the Grimsby defeat left some wondering if he may make good on that suggestion and resign. That said, he has previously admitted to letting emotions get the better of him immediately after matches and that he sometimes wished he was more reserved in his comments, so perhaps his outburst should not be taken too seriously. Time will tell.

What does Ruben Amorim's future mean for transfers?

It's remarkable that we started this transfer window discussing how United needed to build a squad to suit Amorim's methods, and we're ending it wondering whether players may now think twice about their futures because they don't know if the manager will stay.

United spent close to £200 million to rebuild the attack by signing Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. These were all players who can fit into Amorim's 3-4-2-1 set-up but would also suit different systems. There's no reason to consider them a lost cause so early.

The bigger question is around players looking to leave. Most of the so-called "bomb squad" banished from first-team duties by Amorim will still go if suitable offers are made, so expect Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony to move on whatever happens. Alejandro Garnacho also appears to have his heart set on Chelsea, regardless of Amorim's future.

Other cases are more difficult to judge. Kobbie Mainoo is said to be pondering a move to get more playing time, but if he thinks a new manager could be on the way soon, he might decide to stick things out for now. Rasmus Hojlund may also be wondering if he can force his way back in under a different coach.

Ruben Amorim record at Man United

Amorim's record in nearly 10 months in charge makes for sorry reading. In 34 domestic games (those in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup), he has won only eight times. He has a further eight wins in the Europa League thanks to last season's run to the final, but his overall win percentage at United is just 36.5% — almost exactly half his win rate at former club Sporting CP.

You can read more in-depth Amorim stats right here. They do not paint a positive picture.

Who could be Man United's next manager?

United's INEOS decision-makers certainly do not want to change manager for the second time in less than a year, but there is no doubt that, if they feel it's necessary, they will act..

The question of where they would turn next is a difficult one. Gareth Southgate is a name often mentioned in connection with United given his links with some of INEOS' power-brokers, but the club are said to have some doubts over former England boss' credentials back in club football.

Indykaila claimed United have earmarked Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, as two top candidates to succeed Amorim. Both have Premier League experience and have worked wonders at their current clubs, so the attraction would seem obvious.

Michael Carrick, the former United midfielder and interim manager, has also been linked with the job. Carrick was sacked by Championship side Middlesbrough in June after failing in their promotion push, so he would be a low-cost option, even if only as an interim choice.

Other names thrown around have been linked before, such as Ipswich Town manager and ex-United assistant Kieran McKenna, Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane, and ex-Barcelona head coach Xavi. None of those feels likely to happen at this stage, though.