Kenya, Sept. 17 -- Manchester United's sacking Ruben Amorim claims have sent shockwaves through the Premier League after the club abruptly dismissed the Portuguese manager on Wednesday evening, ending his turbulent nine-month tenure amid a dismal start to the 2025-26 season and mounting pressure from fans and board alike.

The 40-year-old, who arrived from Sporting CP in November 2024 with high hopes of reviving the Red Devils' fortunes, leaves Old Trafford after overseeing just 17 wins in 45 games, a record that included a humiliating 3-0 derby loss to Manchester City on September 14 and a shocking Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town in August.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS chief and minority owner, confirmed the decision in a club statement, praising Amorim's passion but citing the need for immediate change to salvage a campaign already teetering on the brink of crisis.

Amorim's arrival was billed as a fresh start, backed by a staggering £200 million summer transfer splash on attackers aimed at fitting his trademark 3-4-2-1 formation.

Yet, the results painted a different picture: United sit 14th in the table with only eight points from seven games, their lowest tally at this stage since the 1989-90 season. The Grimsby defeat, a 2-2 draw turned penalty shootout loss, exposed tactical frailties and dressing room unrest, with reports of players growing frustrated by Amorim's rigid tactics and man-management style.

"It's not a record you should have at Manchester United," Amorim admitted after the City thrashing, where Erling Haaland's brace highlighted United's defensive woes. Internal whispers suggested some squad members, including Bruno Fernandes, questioned his refusal to adapt, leading to a vibes-based ethos that clashed with the club's high-stakes demands.

The sacking comes at a hefty cost, estimated at £12 million in compensation for the first year of his contract, which ran until June 2027, but club sources indicate Ratcliffe and technical director Jason Wilcox viewed it as essential to halt the slide.

Amorim's post-match demeanour after Grimsby, cowering during penalties amid chants of "sacked in the morning", became a viral symbol of the turmoil.

Fan protests outside Old Trafford grew louder following the derby, with banners demanding change and social media flooded with calls for a return to more pragmatic football.

This marks United's seventh managerial change since Sir Alex Ferguson's 2013 retirement, underscoring a cycle of instability that has cost over £500 million in severance alone.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.