Manchester United will now begin their search for a new manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim with former captain turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville sharing his own thoughts.
Gary Neville warned the Manchester United that they can’t fail with their next manager, declaring: “These experiments have got to stop!”
Ruben Amorim was given his marching orders on Monday morning, Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate with Leeds United at Elland Road proving his last game in charge. Amorim departed Old Trafford after 14 months at the helm, leaving the Red Devils languishing in sixth place.
And while a club statement stated worries about performance were behind his exit, it was his fiery post-match remarks, which contained barely disguised swipes at the hierarchy, which ultimately proved to be his downfall. Now Neville has shared his thoughts on his former club and what they ought to consider when picking their next boss.
Neville said: “Ruben Amorim, a very different style from what Manchester United would ordinarily expect. I think these experiments have got to stop. I’m not being; ‘Manchester United, look at us, this is what we do'”.
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ Premier League programme he continued: “There is a very good video that’s been floating around for about 15 years of Bobby Charlton talking about what Manchester United is as a football club and I’ve always been very proud of what that football club is; adventurous, exciting football, playing young players, entertaining the crowd – those fans that pay to come in that are basically looking for some relief from their job at a weekend and want an entertaining Saturday.
READ MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stance on Man Utd return revealed as bosses face dilemmaREAD MORE: Every Man Utd manager since Sir Alex Ferguson after Ruben Amorim appointment falls flat
“To be fair to Ruben Amorim, I think when he was offered the job, he said; ‘No, I prefer to take it in the summer when you can adapt to my system and you can recruit towards it’ – he did say that but then Manchester United sort of said; ‘It’s now or never’.
“The lure of Manchester United and being the manager is something that is difficult to turn down, but he did call this out on the way in. I actually thought that Manchester United would adapt a lot better to the three [at the back] than they did.
“I’m really stunned that over the period of time that Ruben Amorim has been at the club that they continued to play so poorly in that system. I get it, it’s a difficult system – wing-backs are challenging, it’s not a role that young full-backs grow up playing anymore in Europe.
“Similarly, those two in behind the centre-forward are difficult because you’ve got to be in the pockets and then out sometimes to have to defend and chase back with the full-back of the opposition team. So there are quite specialist positions within the system Ruben Amorim plays, with the centre-backs, as well. But I can’t believe how badly they have adapted to it and how inconsistent they’ve been with it.
“That’s a failing upon the manager, that’s a failing upon the players and it’s a failure upon the club in terms of not recruiting properly for it. However, thinking about it all this morning and travelling down to London at 10 o’clock and I was thinking; ‘What managers that have been appointed at the club over the last 10-12 years’ – Louis van Gaal has his own philosophy, Jose Mourinho plays a certain style of football, so does David Moyes; Erik ten Hag, again a different style of football, very positional, very different to what Manchester United would ordinarily play.
Neville then emphasised United shouldn’t alter their identity, but rather bring in a boss who matches their club’s ethos. “Manchester United must take risks and play aggressive, attacking football. Manchester United have now got to appoint a manager that fits the DNA of their football club. Ajax will never change for anybody; Barcelona will never change for anybody: I don’t believe Manchester United should change for anybody. They should play the way in which they play.
“These managers that have come in are fantastic managers – Van Gaal, Mourinho, Ten Hag, Amorim – all brilliant coaches, you can’t say they’re not good coaches. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But they’ve all come in with different approaches, different styles of play, different philosophies, and none of them really fit the Manchester United way.
“So for me it’s about finding a manager with the experience who is willing to play fast, entertaining, aggressive, attacking football, and it’s as simple as that.”
United icon Darren Fletcher has stepped in as caretaker boss for the time being, while the hunt for a permanent manager gets underway.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
