Ruben Amorim smiles with wife as he’s seen for first time since Man Utd sacking as 5 favourites to replace him emerge

Find out who are frontrunners to replace him

RUBEN AMORIM a wore big grin as he was spotted for the first time since being sacked as Manchester United manager.

The 40-year-old was seen leaving his Cheshire mansion with wife Maria just hours after being dismissed.

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Ruben Amorim wore a grin as he was spotted for the first time since being sacked as Manchester United managerCredit: Eamonn & James Clarke
 

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Amorim looked composed as he left his Cheshire mansionCredit: Eamonn & James Clarke
 

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It came hours after being sackedCredit: Eamonn & James Clarke
 

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Even wife Maria was all smilesCredit: Eamonn & James Clarke
 

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The two were seen leaving their homeCredit: Eamonn & James Clarke
Amorim smiled for the camera with sunglasses on and a navy jacket while Maria was decked out in all white with a brown cap and jumper to combat the cold.

The Portuguese manager lasted just 14 months in charge – leaving amid tension with the Old Trafford board.

Amorim’s exit came less than 24 hours after an explosive rant about his role at the club.

He said: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United – not to be the coach of Manchester United.

“That is clear. I know my name is not Tuchel, Mourinho or Conte but I’m the manager.

“It’s going to be like this for 18 months or until the board decide to change.

“I’m not going to quit, I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”

Darren Fletcher will take over as interim boss ahead of United’s trip to Burnley on Wednesday as the search for Amorim’s replacement begins.

Premier League table since Amorim's first game, with Arsenal at the top and Manchester United in 14th place.
Enzo Maresca – who walked out on Chelsea just days ago – and Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner are early frontrunners.

Barcelona legend Xavi, ex-England boss Sir Gareth Southgate and Mauricio Pochettino are other names in contention.

Amorim took United from languishing in the bottom half of the table to sixth in the Premier League.

But tensions off the field proved to be at a breaking point – with his exit confirmed in a blunt statement.

It 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.”

Amorim departs as the WORST United manager in the Premier League era – with a win ratio of just 31.9 per cent.

A comparison of Manchester United managers including Ruben Amorim, Ralf Rangnick, David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik Ten Hag, Jose Mourinho, and Alex Ferguson, showing games played, wins, draws, losses, and win percentage.