Manchester United are once again searching for a new manager after confirming the sacking of Ruben Amorim, a decision that has immediately shifted attention to who will replace him at Old Trafford.

Amorim was dismissed on January 5, 2026, following a poor run of results that included back-to-back 1-1 draws against Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Why Amorim’s exit opened the door to change

The decision ended a 14-month spell that never found consistency in the Premier League. Amorim oversaw 63 matches, winning 24, which left him with a 38 percent win rate, the lowest for a United manager in more than half a century.

United currently sit sixth in the table, 17 points behind leaders Arsenal, a gap the club’s leadership felt was unacceptable.

“It feels like the rebuild has been paused again.”

Darren Fletcher steps in as interim manager

Darren Fletcher has been placed in charge on an interim basis while the club carries out an internal review. The former Manchester United midfielder is expected to steady the squad rather than lead a long-term project.

Reports suggest the club is focused on making a permanent appointment in the summer, allowing time to assess the squad and the wider football structure.

Who are the leading candidates to replace Amorim

The conversation now flips to the next step. Early betting markets, as cited by outlets including MightyTips and Gambling.com, have sketched the first shortlist. Names are familiar, with a mix of serial winners, project builders, and coaches with Premier League know-how.

• Oliver Glasner, currently at Crystal Palace, is among the leading contenders after recent European success
• Michael Carrick, a former United player, is also high on the list after previous interim experience
• Enzo Maresca remains in the picture, with Premier League experience boosting his chances
• Xavi Hernandez and Gareth Southgate are longer-term options discussed in reports
• Ruud van Nistelrooy and Kieran McKenna are also being monitored
• Gareth Southgate is also viewed as a longer-term option in discussions
• Kieran McKenna is also being monitored following his work in England
• Laurent Blanc has been mentioned as an outside option in wider discussions
• Unai Emery has also appeared in reports as an experienced Premier League manager

Odds move fast, and markets change as talks or briefings emerge. But the early shape of the field points to a choice between two paths: a proven pragmatist who can steady the ship quickly, or a project coach tasked with rebuilding the culture over time.

“This club keeps changing managers; when will the vision change?”

What Manchester United are looking for next

Sources close to the club suggest United want a manager who understands the Premier League and can work within a clearer structure. Club connections and proven league experience are both being weighed heavily. The next decision is seen as crucial. Another short-term fix would only deepen the sense of drift around Old Trafford.

A familiar question returns

Amorim’s departure has brought back a familiar debate. Who is the right fit for Manchester United, and how much time will they truly be given? For now, Fletcher holds the reins. But the real focus is on the summer, when United hope the next appointment finally sets the club on a stable path forward.

“Allegri or Glasner is fine, but the style must fit Old Trafford.”

Where United go from here: stability, style, and standards

The next appointment matters as much as any in recent years. United need a coach who can set a clear style and stick to it. That means picking a plan and protecting it through rough patches. The squad must be aligned to that plan, not the other way around.

There will be pressure to deliver instantly, but the club also needs patience and structure. The message to the dressing room must be simple: this is our way of playing, and this is how we win. Without that, the cycle risks repeating.

The Amorim era in brief: a promise that never landed

It is easy to forget that Amorim arrived with genuine excitement. His ideas had won admiration elsewhere. But at United, the timing, the form, and the weight of expectation proved too heavy. The numbers left little room for argument. In the end, a reset felt unavoidable.

As the search begins, supporters will watch closely: not just for a name, but for a plan. The right choice will be the one that turns tense nights at Old Trafford back into belief. That is the job. That is the standard.