Manchester United Learns The Cost Of sacking Ruben Amorim

Manchester United’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim could end up costing the club close to £16 million, underlining just how expensive the failed managerial experiment at Old Trafford has been.

The scale of the financial hit was revealed in a filing to the New York Stock Exchange via BBC Sports, published a day after United announced a profit of £32.6m in their second-quarter financial results, covering the period up to 31 December 2025. While the profit figures initially looked positive, the details surrounding Amorim’s dismissal painted a far more complicated picture.

The true cost of Amorim’s exit

Amorim was dismissed on 5 January, just one day after a tense 1-1 draw against Leeds United. That result proved to be the final straw following the Portuguese coach’s very public criticism of the club’s hierarchy, which reportedly caused major internal friction.

In the filing, United listed Amorim’s sacking as an “event that occurred after the reporting period.” The document confirmed that £6.3m had already been written off. This figure relates to the amortised cost of bringing Amorim to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in November 2024.

More significantly, United also confirmed they had made a £15.9m provision, representing the maximum amount they could still be liable to pay Amorim and his coaching staff. While the club did not spell out the exact triggers for the full payout, sources familiar with the situation have indicated it is linked to Amorim’s future employment. In short, if certain conditions are met, United may be forced to pay the full amount.

A costly chain reaction

When the wider context is considered, the numbers become even more striking. United previously confirmed in a filing dated 27 November 2024 that they paid £11m to Sporting to release Amorim from his contract. That move came after the club decided to part ways with Erik ten Hag, whose departure alone cost United £10.4m.

When all these figures are combined, the managerial changes surrounding Amorim could cost United a staggering £37.3m. For a club already under pressure to manage its finances carefully, it is a sobering reminder of how expensive instability can be.

Short reign, long consequences

Amorim’s time in charge lasted just 14 months, making it the shortest reign of a permanent Manchester United manager since David Moyes was dismissed after only eight months in 2014.

On the pitch, results failed to justify the investment. Amorim won 25 of his 63 matches, with United finishing 15th in the Premier League last season — their worst league position since relegation in the 1973–74 campaign. That alone placed his tenure among the most disappointing in the club’s modern history.

The problems did not stop there. United lost the Europa League final, meaning they missed out on European football entirely this season. It marked only the second time since 1990 that the club have failed to qualify for continental competition, a damaging blow both sporting and financially.

Perhaps the lowest point came in the domestic cups, when United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties. The result was widely described as humiliating and summed up a campaign that quickly spiralled out of control.

Fallout behind the scenes

Reports suggest Amorim’s position became untenable following a serious disagreement with director of football Jason Wilcox, which occurred just days before the Leeds draw. The breakdown in that relationship is believed to have played a major role in the decision to dismiss him.

Despite the drama surrounding his exit, Amorim has remained silent publicly. Sources close to the 41-year-old say there is no immediate plan for him to speak about his time at United, leaving many questions unanswered.

Carrick steadies the ship

After Amorim’s departure, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher briefly stepped in as interim manager for two games. However, the club soon handed the role to Michael Carrick until the end of the season.

The contrast has been striking. Carrick has won five of his first six matches, including Monday night’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton. United have now climbed to fourth place, putting themselves firmly in contention for a return to the Champions League.

Financial juggling continues

Alongside the managerial costs, United also revealed further financial manoeuvres. The club has increased the available credit from its drawdown facility by £50m, taking the total to £400m. At the same time, they paid off £75m, meaning the current balance owed stands at £215m.

The filing also noted that £600,000 worth of sponsorship services had been provided to Ineos Automotive Ltd, a company linked to the Ineos group owned by United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.