Man Utd have six choices to exchange Ruben Amorim after bombshell sack determination

Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United despite improved performances at Old Trafford, and a number of potential successors have emerged for the Red Devils hotseat for the second-half of the season

Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United, as the club scramble to appoint a successor for the latter half of the season.

The Portuguese tactician lasted just over a year at Old Trafford before executives made the decision to part ways with him on Monday morning, despite the Red Devils improving substantially on last season’s 15th-place finish. At the time of writing, United sit sixth in the league standings, with eight wins, seven draws and five losses to show for their efforts as they look to close in on qualification for European football for 2026/27.

However, the club’s board has made the decision to part ways with the 40-year-old. A statement from the club read: “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.

“Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May. With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change.

“This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.”

While club legend Fletcher will take the reins of the club for their clash with Burnley on Wednesday, the Daily Star takes a look at X long-term replacements for Amorim to see out the duration of 2025/26…

Darren Fletcher

Despite Fletcher being named as taking the reins for United’s clash with Burnley this week, the board could make the decision to keep him on as head coach dependent on how he fares. It wouldn’t be the first time that the Red Devils have given a former player a chance to shine in the managerial department, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking up a permanent role between 2018 and 2021, while Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy have also worked in interim/caretaker roles.

Since July 2025, Fletcher has been working as the head coach of United’s U18s team, and it will be interesting to see whether the board put their faith in him to make the step up.

Oliver Glasner

The Crystal Palace boss has impressed at Selhurst Park since his arrival in 2024, helping guide the Eagles to an FA Cup and a Community Shield last year. As a result, he has also been tipped to take the United job in the event that Amorim was sacked or departed.

However, with Palace flying high at present, and the Austrian seemingly settled, it is unknown as to whether Glasner would be interested in taking to Old Trafford – especially considering his loyalty to his current club.

Andoni Iraola

Like Glasner, Iraola has also thrived in the Premier League since taking up tenure with AFC Bournemouth in 2023. The Cherries enjoyed a ninth-place finish in the standings last season, while Amorim could only manage a lacklustre 15th with the Red Devils.

While Iraola is also loyal to his current club, 2025/26 has seen Bournemouth slip down the table as a result of a rocky first-half of the season. And with Antoine Semenyo set to part ways with the Vitality this month, things could get far worse as the season enters its most pivotal stages.

It will be interesting to see if that will turn Iraola’s head in the coming days.

Xavi

The Spaniard hasn’t managed a club since he was sacked by Barcelona in 2024, despite helping the La Liga titans to a league and Spanish Super Cup a year earlier. Currently a free agent, United will be free to speak with Xavi.

However, having neither played for nor managed an English team in the past could affect his ability to adapt to one of the world’s most physically demanding leagues.

Zinedine Zidane

Zizou has also been linked with the United job for some time now, with his name being brought up in conversation when Erik ten Hag was dismissed in November 2024. The Frenchman hasn’t managed a club since his second coaching stint with Real Madrid ended in 2021, but 2026 could provide a prime time for Zidane to make the move.

Enzo Maresca

The Italian head coach only left Chelsea last week, as the Blues look to appoint a successor of their own, but he could be back in work in the coming days to take the reins at Old Trafford. Maresca proved his credentials last year with a Europa Conference League and Club World Cup double, as well as guiding Chelsea to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.

United haven’t appointed a manager with Premier League experience since Jose Mourinho’s stint between 2016 and 2018, and may be wise to bring in someone who is already proven as opposed to a head coach from a different league.