Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday morning, but the changes at Old Trafford could be an advantage for some, while others will be left under the pump
The sacking of Ruben Amorim means all things change again for Manchester United. The Portuguese head coach was sacked on Monday, bringing an end to his unsuccessful spell in charge.
Amorim leaves the Red Devils with the worst results as a Red Devils manager in the Premier League and their lowest ever finish of 15th place last season. The issues that would ultimately work against him were evident early on. Amorim decided to follow his own philosophy and play his way. That meant the introduction of a 3-4-3 formation, with little realism. This was challenging for players, many of whom were playing the system for the first time. Some people just aren’t cut out for certain roles.
Still, he persevered, but with no results. There were many downturns, and very few players came out of the Amorim era with stronger stock. It’s a new beginning now, but United’s succession plans could see several players occupying the dugout in the coming months.
First up will be Darren Fletcher, who will likely have a caretaker until the end of the season before chasing the next Mr Right in the summer. No matter who it is.
read more: Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim gets paid for monster sack and leaves with eye-watering billread more: Manchester United to approach second Premier League boss amid conflict with manager Oliver Glasner
But from a playing standpoint, there is no doubt that some players may be secretly happy to see Amorim’s back. Others may not so much. We take a look at how the landscape of Manchester’s red side changes depending on what happens inside the dugout. Some will benefit, while others will face questions and an uncertain future.
winner
Coby Mainu
No player endured the decline from the Erik ten Hag era to the Amorim era more than the midfielder. Mainoo scored in the FA Cup final, which was managed by a Dutch player, and led to England’s success. He was accomplished, confident and looked like the man to spearhead the club’s future.
Amorim didn’t see it that way, and his star players from the academy struggled to get enough minutes, to the point where there was constant speculation that he would leave the club. He has not started a Premier League game this season, but that could be about to change as many within the club fully believe in his talent.
Bruno Fernandes
Even when the team was in a slump under coach Amorim, there was one man who remained in command. It is surprising that he was linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, yet he remained at Old Trafford and remains a talisman. His problem this season was the deeper role he had to accept. He played as part of a two-man midfield, but ultimately hindered his performance in the final third. Much of that was due to the lack of a No. 10 slot in Amorim’s formation, but the new manager could perhaps revert to a system that allows Fernandes to play in his best positions, front and center.
side back
They will probably be happy if you name them. Patrick Dorg, who was signed under Amorim, may be an exception. All of United’s players were signed as traditional full-backs. So when they were asked to play in the very specific position of wing-back, it was a steep learning curve.
Some people adapted better than others, but it wasn’t natural. So players like Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalo and Nousair Mazraoui may be happy knowing they are heading back to a much more comfortable role. You also know that a primarily attacking player like Amad is at little risk of being converted to wing-back.
loser
sir jim ratcliffe
Another big decision by the Ineos chief executive, and another one he got wrong. Ratcliffe’s report card gets worse with each call. He supported Ten Hag, dismissed Ten Hag, and now he has dismissed Amorim. After all, this person has experience in sports but not in football, and sooner or later people will question whether he is competent enough to make big decisions.
It’s worth remembering that the men he appointed to run the club, Omar Berada and Jason Wilcox, are being run according to his input. You thought he needed to get Amorim’s appointment right – now this next hire might prove his ownership or not.
marcus rashford
This could go two ways, and it depends on what Rashford has in mind. A part of him may want to return to Manchester and Amorim’s sacking could help with that. But those around him also insist that a move to Barcelona is his dream. He was there on loan and was looking to make the move permanent. A new manager might look at his exploits in Spain and think, “No, he’s a player I can work with” and that might deter him from moving to La Liga.
balance sheet
Mr. Ratcliffe has led large-scale layoffs. His mother insisted that if they took care of Penny, Pound would take care of themselves. So while a £10 million reward doesn’t seem to have been on the table, that’s what it would cost to get rid of Amorim. Many doubted United spent so much money on players in the summer and now they have to find even more money to change their head coach. Big clubs seem to be able to avoid the danger of PSR, but it still hasn’t been budgeted for.
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