Ruben amorim is no longer the Manchester United coach as the management decided to part ways after 14 months of the Portugese in charge.
Following the meeting with director of football, Jason Wilcox on Friday, the board felt that Amorim’s negative and emotional personality would only affect the club in longer tenure. His stubbornness to change from his preferred but ineffective 3-4-3 formation was one of the key reasons for the sack.
Here are 5 managers who could possibly replace the former Sporting manager at United. (Betting odds from OddsChecker )
1. Oliver Glasner (9/2)
The most prominent and likely candidate, whose name has been soundly heard at Manchester. Glasner could be the perfect replacement, who ticks every box, the United Bosses look for. From rebuilding a club for stability or building a team for silverware, Glasner has done it all. More importantly, he prefers the same playstyle, 3-5-2, that Amorim was tied up with until his end, but provides the clarity on adapting the system to player’s strength. He had played 4-4-2 in Austrian Bundesliga with SV Ried, 3-4-3 with wolfsburg, 4-2-3-1 with Frankfurt and currently the 3-5-2 at Crystal Palace. In terms of trophies, Glasner had led Frankfurt to an Europa league title in 2022 and also brought the first trophy in Crystal Palace’s history last year, when they won the FA Cup and Community Shield. His favourite formation, being the 4-4-2, would work wonders for united, where two striker system have always paid off and something that was long suggested for Amorim.
2. Enzo Maresca (19/4)
An unexpected series of events saw Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca resign from his position on New Year day. A slump in form and the growing unrest behind the scenes between the Italian and the club’s management were key factors to the destiny. It was very visible during Maresca’s press conferences where he openly admitted that he had not been given full responsibility and control. But another side of the coin is that, Maresca was aware of the possibilities of returning to Manchester City, this time as the main man, following a wide spread news that Pep guardiola might depart after 10 years at the club. Having won two trophies with Chelsea in his first season in top flight football and worthy Premier League experience, Maresca could be very well be an option at the other side of Manchester, only that United knock the door soon before.
3. Gareth Southgate (5/1)
The Englishman is also a hot commodity, with his name already been linked to United, last season following Ten Hag’s departure. Southgate was Ratcliffe’s favourite option last season, before the appointment of Amorim happened. Southgate was in charge of the English national team but that had ended with a Euros runners-up medal in 2024. He also maintains a very good rapport with Sir Dave Brailsford who is one of the three men tasked with overhauling the footballing structure at United. He also has the backing of Dan Ashworth, the former Sporting director, who openly advocated his desire to bring Southgate. With stability and consistency defined as a necessity, Southgate could promise not a flashy brand of football, but exactly what United need.
4. Michael Carrick (16/1)
Now this might come as a surprise, but by no means it is a unfamiliar ground for Carrick. The former United legend, enjoyed an illustrious career at United as a player winning five premier league title, an FA cup, a Champions League title and as well an Europa league title. He once had a three game stint as the caretaker manager for United in 2021, and has the experience of coaching having assisted both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during their time at United. His managerial career is not that impressive having been at the helm of Middlesbrough from 2022 to 2025, where he was sacked, but could be an interesting choice considering his time at United, if Familiarity of the club is a criteria
5. Darren Fletcher (5/1)
Fletcher who has been handed the interim role until the end of the season, could also make the job permanent. As discussed earlier, Fletcher has been granted the role considering his familiarity at the club, after starting his managerial career as the U-16 coach for United in 2020. He became the technical director of the team in 2021 and more recently was assigned the task of Under-18 coach in July 2025. Also with an excellent playing career at Old Trafford, with five premier league titles, a FA cup, a Champions league title to his name, Fletcher has been with the club throughout the thick and thin. An impressive top four finish which is attainable at this stage would make him an obvious choice as the United’s “on-field” boss.
6. Eddie Howe
The current Newcastle manager also falls under the radar in the pursuit of next manager. He, currently has a three year contract left with Newcastle United and would atleast cost a eight-figured fee, if United want the services of the English man. Howe has proved at Newcastle that he has the mettle to compete in the Premier League and has established a promising system that has shown success, winning their first major trophy since 1969, when the club won the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
7. Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino had already closed in as the United manager in two occasions previously. One time he could not be hired, when he was managing Tottenham in 2019, the other when Ten Hag won the race between the two in 2021. The Argentine is a proven Premier League expert and might provide a strong base for long term success. Currently, as the manager of US National Soccer team, he might be unavailable until the 2026 World Cup but will be a choice for next season if United decide not to continue with Fletcher after his interim tenure
8. Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth were lucky to have Iraola, who transformed Bournemouth into a serious team by finishing in the top half of the table last season, securing 56 points. This was their highest tally in English top flight. Losing key players has affected their performance this season but Iraola continues to play his entertaining brand of football. This was evident in their game against United at Old Trafford last month when they delivered a game for the ages, resulting in a 4-4 draw. With just six months left in his contract, Iraola could prove to be a gamble for United combining modernity with madness
9. Xavi Hernandez
The Spanish legend is the best option from the free agents available in the market. Xavi proved himself in the Laliga under depressing circumstances. He was brought in a situation when Barcelona were mounted in debts, yet, he trusted the La Masia academy and provided satisfying results, winning Laliga with no big expenditures. Youngsters thrive under him and the 4-3-3 possession based football is a trademark of the tiki taka style, he found success during his playing days. He could revive Kobbie Mainoo’s career and transform United into the giants they once were.
