Ruben Amorim is at risk of being sacked by Manchester United following an explosive press conference on Sunday.
According to widespread reports, there are growing tensions between head coach and club, with the January transfer window and the team's tactical approach going forward the two key points of contention.
talkSPORT report that Amorim’s long-term position at Old Trafford is increasingly uncertain, with Sky Sports and BBC Sport adding that Amorim’s deteriorating relationship with director of football Jason Wilcox is at the heart of the issue, creating a growing sense of instability behind the scenes.
Speaking after United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, Amorim strongly hinted at his dissatisfaction with the structure above him, insisting he wanted to be Manchester United’s “manager” rather than the “head coach” title he was given upon his appointment.
"I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear,” he said on Sunday.
"I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it's not [Antonio] Conte, it's not [Jose] Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United and it's going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change.
"That was my point. I want to finish with that. I'm not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me."
Those comments are understood to reflect mounting frustration after senior figures at the club, including Wilcox, encouraged him to adopt greater tactical flexibility. Amorim, however, remains committed to his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, a stance that has raised concerns within the boardroom.
The United head coach on December 24 told reporters that to play his "perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money”, adding: 2I'm starting to understand that is not going to happen". He later spoke of needing to find a “middle ground” between himself and Wilcox.
If tensions escalate into a full-blown power struggle, it has been reported that chief executive Omar Berrada is expected to side with Wilcox rather than the head coach.
Amorim is also believed to feel let down by the club’s transfer strategy, having been under the impression he would be backed in the January window. A willingness to spend £65million on Antoine Semenyo before the window opened has now morphed into a likely subdued month in the market.
While Sky Sports report that Amorim wanted at least one, ideally two, new midfielders this month, the club are determined to avoid a return to short-term transfer spending and would rather trust the current squad. The return of Bruno Fernandes from injury and the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations pointed to as immediate improvements for struggling form.
Recruitment disagreements extend back to last summer, when Amorim would have preferred a move for Premier League-proven striker Ollie Watkins over Benjamin Sesko, who has struggled to adapt to English football.
While minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly stated Amorim should be given the full three years of the contract he signed in November 2024, doubts reportedly remain among senior figures at Old Trafford. Those reservations may explain the reluctance to invest heavily, particularly with Amorim’s unwavering tactical approach which has garnered significant criticism.
Another sign of the hierarchy’s uncertainty is their resistance to sanctioning the departure of Kobbie Mainoo, who has been marginalised this season despite the board viewing him as a key part of the club’s future.
Amorim further fuelled speculation about his future by suggesting he would see out his contract until 2027 unless replaced, insisting he would not walk away but making clear he feels his authority is being undermined.
