Sixth Man United star who had a falling out with Ruben Amorim before being sacked as manager | Soccer | Sports

Ruben Amorim was sacked after just 14 months at Manchester United. During his tenure, the 40-year-old struggled to develop harmonious relationships with some members of his squad.

Despite starting the Premier League under intense scrutiny, Amorim was able to turn around from a poor start and lead his side to sixth place in the standings. His last game was United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon. However, after a chaotic press conference, the former Sporting CP manager was sacked from his post due to a complete breakdown in communication. Ahead of Amorim’s departure from Old Trafford, we take a look at the players whose relationships within the United squad have been strained.

marcus rashford

When Amorim arrived in Manchester, expectations were high that Marcus Rashford would develop under his tutelage. The England international scored three goals in his opening two games, but his form deteriorated dramatically.

The manager began to have doubts about Rashford’s commitment and publicly criticized the forward in early 2025. When asked about his absence from the team, he said: “The reason is always the same: training. If things don’t change, neither will I.”

“If you look at the bench you can see that we are missing a little bit of pace, but I would put[Manchester United manager Jorge]Vital ahead of a player who is not giving his all every day.”

Rashford was eventually loaned out to Aston Villa, and even though he returned that summer, the effects of the rift lingered. Amorim flatly refused to return to United and was once again sent on loan to Barcelona.

Alejandro Garnacho

Another explosive clash involving Amorim revolved around Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine attacker had been the subject of transfer speculation, but things turned sour in the final stages of United’s Europa League campaign in mid-2025.

The manager publicly criticized Garnacho for wasting an opportunity in the semi-final against Athletic Club, and then left him on the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Spurs in the final.

In response to this disrespect, Garnacho said: “I played every round to help the team until the final, but today I played 20 minutes. I don’t know. The final will influence my decision (to leave or not).”

True to his word, just a few months later in August, his bond with Amorim remained unrepairable and he left for Chelsea in a £40m transfer. He even went so far as to “like” the social media post announcing Amorim’s firing.

jadon sancho

Jadon Sancho had already clashed with Erik ten Hag before Amorim’s appointment, but his situation did not improve under the Portuguese tactician. Despite speculation that he would return from his loan spell at Chelsea to play under Amorim, the manager was unimpressed with his commitment.

Asked about Sancho’s absence, he said: “I’m building a team based on commitment and a specific tactical profile. Jadon understands his situation.”

Following this, Amorim reportedly advised United bosses that Sancho’s departure would be in the interests of all parties. He then joined Villa in September, but tensions between the two sides continued.

Asked if he would shake Sancho’s hand when Villa played United in December, Amorim replied: “I shake hands with the Villa manager. The players on the pitch of the other team are not my concern. He is not our player now. He is just a name on the sheet.”

anthony

Early in Amorim’s tenure, it became clear that he had little faith in Anthony, the Brazilian winger who joined Real Betis on loan in January 2025. Commenting on the decision, Amorim said: “To play in this system you need a level of physical intensity that Jadon (Sancho) and Anthony are currently struggling to find.

Anthony’s representatives disputed this assessment and found that by the summer of 2025, Anthony had been left out of the squad known as the ‘bomb squad’, along with players such as Sancho and Rashford.

The Brazilian secured a permanent £22m move to Real Betis over the summer, but has since expressed that he felt disrespected by both the club and Amorim during his stay in Manchester.

Rasmus Hoylund

United brought in Rasmus Hojlund during Ten Hag’s tenure as manager, but it quickly became clear that the striker was not first choice when Amorim took charge.

Despite continuing to play under Amorim, Hojlund was deemed expendable in the summer and left for Napoli on loan with an option to buy. From this point on, tensions between the two began to rise.

Asked last October if he had second thoughts about sending Hojlund off, especially after new signing Benjamin Sesco’s misfire in front of goal, Amorim said: “In this system, you can’t have a striker who just waits for the ball. I need an intelligent runner, someone who can think and react in the box before the defenders move.”

Since that moment, Hojlund has subtly criticized Amorim via social media, posting comments celebrating Napoli’s goals with the caption: “Are you thinking fast enough for you?” After Napoli won the Italian Super Cup in December, he also shared an image of himself clutching silverware with the words: “What a great decision.”

Coby Mainu

Under Amorim, Koby Mainu has been on the bench for most of this season, making just one start, against Grimsby Town in the League Cup. This was in stark contrast to his impressive display for England at Euro 2024 and his FA Cup-winning goal under Ten Hag.

Although the rift between the two sides remained strictly professional, questions have been raised about Maynou’s qualifications, with Amorim said to have suggested that he lacked the speed needed to operate as a two-man midfield.

There were rumors of a move in the January transfer window, and matters were further complicated by the fact that his younger brother appeared in a 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in December wearing a ‘Free Coby Mainu’ T-shirt.