Six Man Utd stars who fell out with Ruben Amorim before boss was axed | Football | Sport

Ruben Amorim has been dismissed from his position at Manchester United following merely 14 months at the club. Throughout his tenure, the 40-year-old struggled to establish harmonious relationships with several squad members.

Despite beginning the Premier League campaign under considerable scrutiny, Amorim successfully reversed an underwhelming start, guiding his team to sixth position in the table. His last match saw United draw 1-1 with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon. However, following a turbulent press conference, the former Sporting CP boss has been removed from his post due to a complete breakdown in communication. As Amorim departs Old Trafford, here’s a look at the players within his United squad with whom relations became strained.

Marcus Rashford

Upon Amorim’s arrival in Manchester, expectations were high that Marcus Rashford would thrive under his guidance. The England international netted three times in his opening two matches, yet his form deteriorated dramatically.

The manager started to question Rashford’s commitment and in early 2025, he publicly criticised the forward. When questioned about his absence from the team, he stated: “It’s always the same reason – the training. If things don’t change, I will not change.

“You can see on the bench we miss a bit of pace on the bench, but I would put [Manchester United coach Jorge] Vital before a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day.”

Before long, Rashford was shipped out on loan to Aston Villa and upon his return that summer, the rift’s impact lingered. Amorim steadfastly refused to welcome him back into the United fold, leaving him to head out on loan once more, this time at Barcelona.

Alejandro Garnacho

Another explosive clash involving Amorim revolved around Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine attacker had been the subject of transfer speculation, but matters turned sour during the closing stages of United’s Europa League run in mid-2025.

The boss openly slammed Garnacho for squandering a chance in their semi-final encounter with Athletic Club, subsequently benching the player for their 1-0 defeat to Spurs in the final.

Following this snub, Garnacho remarked: “Up until the final I played every round helping the team and today I play 20 minutes – I don’t know. The final will influence my decision [whether to leave].”

True to his word, just months later in August, he departed for Chelsea in a £40million transfer, with his bond with Amorim beyond repair. He’s even gone so far as to like a social media post announcing Amorim’s dismissal.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho had already clashed with Erik ten Hag prior to Amorim’s appointment, but his circumstances failed to improve under the Portuguese tactician. Despite speculation that he might return from his Chelsea loan spell to play under Amorim, the manager was unimpressed with his dedication.

When questioned about Sancho’s absence, he stated: “I am building a team based on commitment and specific tactical profiles. Jadon knows his situation.”

Following this, Amorim reportedly advised United’s hierarchy that Sancho’s departure would benefit all parties. He subsequently joined Villa in September, though tensions between the pair persisted.

When Villa met United in December, Amorim was asked whether he would shake Sancho’s hand, responding: “I shake hands with the Villa manager. The players on the pitch for the opposition are not my concern. He is not our player right now. He is just a name on a sheet.”

Antony

Early in Amorim’s tenure, it became clear he had little faith in Brazilian winger Antony, who was loaned to Real Betis in January 2025. Explaining the decision, Amorim commented: “To play in this system, you need a level of physical intensity that Jadon [Sancho] and Antony are currently struggling to find.”

Antony’s agent disputed this assessment, and by summer 2025 he found himself sidelined alongside players such as Sancho and Rashford in what became known as a ‘bomb squad.’

The Brazilian secured a permanent £22m transfer to Real Betis during the summer window and has since expressed feeling disrespected by both the club and Amorim throughout his time in Manchester.

Rasmus Hojlund

United brought in Rasmus Hojlund during Ten Hag’s tenure, but when Amorim took the reins, it quickly became apparent the striker wouldn’t be his first-choice option.

Despite continuing to feature under Amorim, Hojlund was deemed expendable come the summer and departed for Napoli on loan, with a purchase option attached. It was from this point that tensions between the pair began to simmer.

When questioned in October last year about whether he had second thoughts over Hojlund’s exit, particularly with new signing Benjamin Sesko misfiring in front of goal, Amorim responded: “In this system, I cannot have strikers who just wait for the ball. I need intelligent runners; players who can think and react inside the box before the defender moves.”

Since that moment, Hojlund has taken subtle digs at Amorim via social media, posting a celebration of a Napoli goal with the caption: “Thinking fast enough for you?” Following Napoli’s Italian Super Cup triumph in December, he also shared an image of himself clutching the silverware, accompanied by the words: “What a great decision looks like.”

Kobbie Mainoo

Under Amorim’s stewardship, Kobbie Mainoo has been largely benched this season, making just one start against Grimsby Town in the League Cup. This marked a stark contrast to the impressive displays he produced for England at Euro 2024 and his FA Cup-winning strike under Ten Hag.

Whilst their rift remained strictly professional, questions have been raised about Mainoo’s attributes, with Amorim allegedly suggesting he lacked the pace required to operate in his two-man midfield system.

He was rumoured to be on the move in this January transfer window, and his brother even made an appearance at their 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in December sporting a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt to further complicate matters.