Manchester United‘s decision to part ways with Ruben Amorim is set to leave a significant financial dent. United have struggled for consistency but have run out of patience with their manager after giving him a 14-month run. It is a high cost decision for the Old Trafford-based club.
The Portuguese coach was dismissed on Monday (January 5) following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United that left the club sixth in the Premier League standings. Darren Fletcher has been placed in interim charge ahead of United’s midweek trip to Burnley.
Amorim was appointed in November 2024 as Erik ten Hag’s successor on a contract running until the end of next season. With 18 months still remaining on that deal, United are now liable for a substantial payout under the terms of his contract.
Breaking down the £27.35 million figure
United were forced to pay Sporting Lisbon a compensation fee to secure Amorim’s services, with his appointment costing the club an initial £9.5 million. At Old Trafford, the 40-year-old earned £6.7 million per year.
Having already pocketed around £7.8 million in wages during his time at the club, Amorim is now expected to receive the remainder of his contract in full following his dismissal. That settlement is understood to be worth a further £10.05 million.
Taken together, compensation to Sporting, wages already paid, and the severance package, Amorim’s short-lived United spell is set to cost the club approximately £27.35 million.
The figure does not include the wider spending during his tenure, with United having invested close to £250 million on new signings since his appointment.
Lowest win per cent recorded by a Man United manager since Alex Ferguson’s retirement
Amorim departs after overseeing 63 matches across all competitions, winning just 25 of them. His win rate of 39.7 per cent is the lowest recorded by a permanent Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Across 47 Premier League matches, Amorim averaged 1.24 points per game, a return comparable to former Premier League managers Alan Pardew, Chris Coleman and Bruno Lage.
United’s broader struggles during this period have added context to the decision. Last season’s 15th-place finish was the club’s lowest in 35 years, while their 42-point tally marked their worst top-flight return since relegation in the 1973-74 campaign. Defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final also confirmed United’s first failure to qualify for European competition in 11 years.
Since Ferguson’s departure, United have now had six permanent managers, all of whom including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ten Hag left the club with better win percentages than Amorim.