Revealed: Manchester United’s cost for Ruben Amorim’s 14-month tenure

Amorim left United following a decision by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. The Portuguese coach departed after 14 months at Old Trafford, with the final call made after his interview following the match against Leeds, where he said Berrada and Wilcox had to “do his job”.

As Amorim’s contract did not include a release clause, United were required to pay compensation for the remaining 18 months of his deal. According to the Daily Mail, the club paid around £10.05m for the 40-year-old to leave immediately.

The total cost of appointing Amorim was significantly higher. United paid Sporting Lisbon £8.3m to buy out his contract in October 2024 and an additional £900,000 for him to take charge straight away. Combined with the £10.05m payoff and compensation for his coaching staff, the total cost is around £27m.

United also backed Amorim heavily in the transfer market, spending around £250m on new players. In the summer window, the club signed Sesko, Mbeumo, Cunha, Lammens and Dorgu. While some of these players made an impact, results on the pitch failed to improve.

Since replacing Erik ten Hag in 2024, Amorim recorded 25 wins in 63 matches, the worst record for a Manchester United manager in the Premier League era. Last season, he focused heavily on the Europa League but lost 0-1 to Tottenham in the final, before United finished 15th in the Premier League.

Man United have appointed Darren Fletcher from the club’s U18 setup as a temporary solution. However, a new interim manager is expected to be announced and will remain in charge until the end of the season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gareth Southgate are among the names being considered.

Man United will take on Burley on 8 January, then face Brighton at the 3rd round of the FA Cup. They'll have a week free before meet Man City at Old Trafford on 17 January, Arsenal on 25 January and Fulham on 1 February.