After Amorim: Manchester United Begin Another Reset as Assistant Breaks Silence on Old Trafford Exit

Manchester United have never been a club that does things quietly, and the departure of Ruben Amorim has followed that familiar script. One moment there was hope that a bold, modern appointment could spark a long-term revival. The next, Old Trafford was again left sifting through the wreckage of another managerial era cut short.

In the days following Amorim’s dismissal, attention has inevitably turned to what went wrong, who is next, and what kind of mood was left behind at Carrington. Into that noise stepped an unexpected voice. While Amorim himself has chosen to remain silent, his assistant Carlos Fernandes has become the first member of the coaching staff to publicly address the situation at Manchester United, offering a message that was notable for its calm, dignity and restraint.

Ruben Amorim’s Assistant Breaks Silence After Man Utd Sacking

Fernandes arrived in Manchester alongside Amorim in November 2024, forming part of the Portuguese coach’s trusted inner circle. Tasked with helping translate Amorim’s ideas from Lisbon to the Premier League, he found himself operating in one of the most scrutinised environments in world football.

On Wednesday morning, just days after the club confirmed Amorim’s exit, Fernandes posted a statement on Instagram that struck a very different tone to the speculation swirling around Old Trafford. There was no bitterness, no thinly veiled criticism of the board, and no attempt to rewrite history.

Instead, Fernandes focused on gratitude.

“Thank you, Manchester United,” the message began. He went on to thank the players he worked with, the staff who supported the coaching team’s transition to English football, and the supporters who continued to back them even as results became increasingly erratic.

Perhaps the most telling line came at the end. “In the end, working at a football club of this dimension doesn’t just test your knowledge – it reveals character.” It was a short sentence, but one that felt loaded with meaning. At a club like United, success is never just about tactics or training sessions. It is about coping with pressure, scrutiny and expectation that rarely ease, even during brief spells of calm.

For Fernandes, the message closed the chapter with pride rather than regret. “A special chapter in my life. Proud to have served as Assistant Manager of Manchester United.”

Laughing, Joking and a Surprisingly Light Farewell

If Fernandes’ statement hinted at emotional maturity, reports of Ruben Amorim’s own departure suggested something else entirely: relief.

According to multiple accounts, the Portuguese coach left Carrington in unexpectedly high spirits. Rather than a tense or sombre farewell, Amorim was reportedly seen laughing and joking with members of his coaching staff as he walked out of the training ground for the final time.

For those inside the club, it was a striking contrast to the intense atmosphere that had defined the final weeks of his reign. The pressure had been relentless. Results were inconsistent, performances uneven, and every press conference seemed to generate more headlines than reassurance.

Witnesses described the moment as one where the “weight of the world” appeared to lift from Amorim’s shoulders. It was not the image of a man blindsided by events, but rather one who may have come to terms with the inevitability of his fate long before the official call was made.

Later that day, Amorim was spotted walking near his home in Cheshire, smiling and waving at photographers. There was no sign of anger or frustration, only the look of someone who had accepted that his time at Manchester United had run its course.

What Went Wrong for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United?

Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League Amorim

In hindsight, Amorim’s spell at Old Trafford feels like another example of United’s ongoing struggle to marry long-term vision with short-term reality. His appointment was meant to represent a break from the past, a move towards a more coherent footballing identity.

There were flashes of progress. Certain performances hinted at structure and intent, while younger players appeared to respond positively to his methods. But in a league as unforgiving as the Premier League, patience is rarely abundant. A volatile draw at Elland Road, followed by a tense post-match interview, proved to be the final straw.

For Amorim, the demands of managing Manchester United perhaps arrived before the environment was truly ready to support his ideas. For the club, the decision to pull the trigger once again raises familiar questions about strategy, stability and leadership.

Who Will Replace Amorim at Man Utd?

With the Portuguese coaching team now gone, focus at Old Trafford has quickly shifted to the next appointment. According to reports, United’s hierarchy have narrowed the search for an interim manager down to two familiar names: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick.

Both men understand the club, the culture and the expectations that come with the job. Solskjaer, currently unattached after leaving Besiktas earlier this season, is said to be open to a return. Reports from Norway suggest a deal could be finalised within days, setting up an emotional comeback more than four years after his own dismissal.

Carrick, meanwhile, is also available following his departure from Middlesbrough in June. Highly regarded within coaching circles, he previously impressed during a short caretaker spell in 2021. Under the INEOS structure, his calm authority and tactical clarity have not gone unnoticed.

The decision now rests with director of football Jason Wilcox, who must decide which profile is best suited to steady the ship and restore a sense of direction.

Darren Fletcher Takes Temporary Charge

In the meantime, Darren Fletcher has been handed temporary responsibility for the first team. The former midfielder, now a technical director, will lead United in their Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Fletcher has been keen to keep the focus narrow. Speaking ahead of the game, he played down any talk of long-term ambition or involvement in the managerial search.

“I’ve had a conversation and the focus was on this game,” he said. “I’ve got a training session to organise, a match to prepare for, and players to speak to. That’s where my attention is.”

He will be supported by Under-21 coaches Travis Binnion and Alan Wright, with Jonny Evans returning to the first-team setup in a coaching capacity. Fletcher is also expected to remain in charge for the FA Cup tie against Brighton, buying the club time to finalise the interim appointment.

Another Crossroads at Old Trafford

For Manchester United, the sacking of Ruben Amorim marks yet another crossroads. The assistant’s dignified farewell and the manager’s surprisingly light exit say much about the emotional toll of life at Old Trafford.

The next appointment may be temporary, but the implications feel anything but. United are once again searching for stability in a season already defined by uncertainty. Whether the answer lies in familiar faces or a renewed sense of patience remains to be seen.

What is clear is that the cycle continues – and at Manchester United, every ending seems to arrive with the promise of a new beginning, however fragile that promise may be.