Online Reporter
RUBEN Amorim was angry at the lack of backing from Manchester United over his transfer targets in a stunt which ultimately led to his sacking.
United insiders told SunSport they believed Amorim’s decision to make his clash with the club hierarchy public could result in his sacking — and that’s exactly what happened yesterday morning.
Sources revealed Amorim’s main issue was he had recommended different transfer targets to a short-list drafted up by director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell.
Amorim demanded to be referred to as the “manager” rather than the “head coach” in an extraordinary power play after United drew 1-1 with Leeds on Sunday.
Sources say United have money to spend in this month’s transfer window through a revolving credit facility.
The club were prepared to trigger Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo’s £60 million release clause and pay the fee in instalments.
However, Semenyo — who Amorim was happy to sign — is expected to join Manchester City and Amorim complained on Friday that United were likely to be inactive this month.
Amorim would have liked Semenyo to come in and for United to offload Joshua Zirkzee, who has scored two Premier League goals in the last year.
But Amorim said last Friday he expected Zirkzee to stay and that United would not sell any players this month.
Amorim revealed on Boxing Day he often has to find “common ground” on targets with former Southampton director of football Wilcox.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe set out to reduce the United manager’s sway in the transfer market in response to Erik ten Hag’s tendency to recruit players who had played in Holland.
Ratcliffe admitted United compromised with Ten Hag on some signings in the 2024 summer transfer window after the club abandoned plans to sack the Dutchman.
Wilcox initially joined United as technical director in April 2024 but was promoted to director of football last year following the departure of Dan Ashworth as sporting director.
Former Blackburn winger Wilcox worked with United chief executive Omar Berrada at City and the pair usually sit together at United games.
Berrada led United’s approach for Amorim in October 2024, despite misgivings from Ashworth, and Wilcox was supportive of the appointment.
But Wilcox’s influence in the United structure was starting to irk Amorim as he attempted to lift sixth-placed United into the Champions League places.
United were missing eight players in the 1-1 draws with Leeds and Wolves last week due to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the team have won only three of their past 11 matches, with the majority of those results achieved with a near-fully fit squad.
United backed Amorim with a £225.3million spending spree in the summer.
Amorim voiced his approval of United’s strategy to sign players for the club, rather than the manager, in an interview with British journalists during pre-season.
Just five months ago, Amorim said: “I think it’s a good thing. I think it personally, I think Jason and also Omar, that all the players that we want to bring to Manchester, any coach will want them. — thesun.co.uk
