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Why Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United Sacking Feels Inevitable

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Dec 31, 2025 8:46 AM ET

The writing is on the wall for Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim. Since he took over the Old Trafford hotseat in November 2024, the 40-year-old hasn’t provided any genuine proof that he is capable of guiding the Red Devils to greater heights.

Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves was an inexcusable result, even though United were without Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire.

Despite the long list of absentees, United had enough talent to win the match. Instead, Amorim missed the chance to propel United into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Wolverhampton entered the contest with two points through 18 Premier League games. It’s possible that Wolves could finish their 2025-26 campaign with the lowest point total of any club in Premier League history. To allow them to leave Old Trafford with a point is an utter embarrassment.

United supporters made their feelings clear during and after the match. They shouted for the brave, fluid football of the club’s past with chants of “attack, attack, attack.” You can’t blame the supporters for booing at halftime and jeering at full time when the football is uninspiring and isn’t producing results.

Wolves nearly pulled off their first victory of the season. If not for several crucial saves by Senne Lammens, United would have suffered the indignity of handing Wolves three points at Old Trafford.

Amorim’s Boring Football Won’t Survive at United

Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans after the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Attacking football is baked into the DNA of Manchester United. Season ticket holders expect football that is played on the front foot.

It feels like he is trying to force square pegs into round holes to suit his preferred 3-4-3 system. He doesn’t accommodate players to play to their strengths, often pushing his players out of position. If his system isn’t working and he doesn’t have the right players to execute it, he has to rip it up and come up with a solution.

Amorim’s substitutions are often baffling. He pulled off goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee in the 46th minute when the match was calling out for a difference maker to pull United ahead.

It’s clear that Amorim is prepared to live or die by his system. He let points slip through his fingers again as he had against 10-man Everton and 18th-placed West Ham.

Unless he changes his ways or is bankrolled with key signings who can adapt to his system, Amorim is destined to be the latest Man United boss to fail at restoring the historic club to its former glory.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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