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Well, it seems like when it comes to the Red Devils, this conversation cycles around once a season.

What has led to Amorim being sacked and we ask the question again, where will Manchester United go from here?

It has now been officially 10 managers that have taken over since Sir Alex Ferguson retired back in 2013 and not a single one has lived up to an ounce of the legacy he left behind. Not they don’t necessarily need to, but with a club as prominent as Man United, it is important to keep the culture alive and have that hope linger on for the fans.

So, with a very underwhelming (despite systematic advances) 38.1% win percentage, Amorim left his mark, in what seemed to be best described as a roller coaster heading for disaster. But, now that this roller coaster has gone off its tracks, what now?

A Slight Retrospect –

Now, even the most delusional Manchester United supporter can tell you the team they currently have cannot be vouched for as the best team in Europe, or in the World. However, there were a lot of small improvements that definitely pushed the team forward, such as a new formation in the 3-4-3, instead of following a 4-2-3-1, new signings which thankfully have worked for the squad for the most part as of now. As well as a new playstyle that did seem to work in their favor for a good part of the season leading Amorim to leave the club at 5th in the Premier League at the time of his sacking.

The Bad –

Not the greatest, but not the worst, seems to sum up Amorim’s time as Man United’s head gaffer. A behavior that Amorim was well aware that they were not improving, yet despite stubborn claims, or rejecting change, it is also important to know when its helping the club and when its hurting it. Kobbie Mainoo for example, a potential superstar in the making and an anchor for the English National Team in this upcoming World Cup, was being left out of games despite Amorim claiming Mainoo is “The future of Manchester United”.

Rightfully so, at 20 years old the English midfielder shows a lot of continued development and promise. However, this treatment of him also having to “fight for his place in the squad”, makes sense if it wasn’t a World Cup year. Due to this major factor, players like Mainoo are foaming at the mouth for play time to get a call-up, and represent their country in the biggest tournament in the world. Those relationships and handling of players needs to be addressed in a better fashion at a club with a magnifying glass on them all the time such as Man United.

There were a lot of games that the 3-4-3 formation simply wasn’t functioning, and it seemed like Amorim would much rather lose the game, than make any adjustment whatsoever.

Take for Instance, the loss against 10-man Everton back on Matchday 12 which saw Everton go up on the 29th minute of the game, and barely attack at all for the rest of the fixture. A quality of a manager would recognize this stubbornness, and attack full on through the middle, especially since Everton’s line was incredibly wide with their 6 at the back at times. Instead, they played their 3-4-3, which ultimately lead to runs on the wings which were effective, but then an onslaught of crosses as they prayed that Zirkzee would reach one ball with his head above a sea of 4-5 Everton players covering. I am also going to give credit to Jordan Pickford that game who did have an outstanding game in goal for Everton.

Those small adjustments mean big results when you’re 1-0 down against an opponent who is lethargic and daring you to shoot at their goal. Man United’s next manager needs to be keen and not scared of adjusting to the game in front of them, not the game they already know.

The Good

On the highest of highs, United under Amorim seemed like a somewhat viable team however. Posting their first win at Anfield, since 2015, against an admittedly struggling defending champion Liverpool. A win against Chelsea early in the season as well, being their first win in 2 years against them, and above all the positioning in the Premier League that came from some respectable fixtures and results from their turning to creativity through the new signings. A resilient Cunha, a tenured Mbeumo, and a learning Sesko, all come to show their worth as valuable signings this season, as well as a raw potential GK in Lammens who is an obvious upgrade from Onana.

With that being said the results that were helping United in the Premier League table, were helping everyone’s confidence and their playtime too (bar Mainoo it seemed). Ayden Heaven was an interesting asset that Manchester United stole right from Arsenal’s development camp, has been a gem to watch this season and has improved exponentially, someone very exciting to watch for future seasons to come.

Other youngsters have also been given the opportunity to play under Amorim such as, Shea Lacey, Bendito Mantato, Jack Fletcher, and Tyler Fredricson. Which is always a great thing, but does say a bit to the testament of the depth of the team itself, it is badly needed so that these players can thrive more with opportunities that are less pressure ridden than others.

The Sack

Regardless of any praises being sung to Amorim’s name, which have come from myself from time to time, the reality is, it wasn’t really like the boat was going many places anyways. I do understand that United do have a positive record so far in the Premier League, but imagine how many more points they would have if they didn’t drop points to the likes of Nottingham Forest who are having a dreadful downfall, Leeds United who are struggling to keep up with the Premier League pace, Wolves who before facing Man United only had 2 points in 18 games, and West Ham who have an even worse problem than Manchester United at the moment.

A potential 12 points out of these games, with only 4 achieved. That 8 point difference would currently not only have them in 4th which is obviously a Champions League spot, but 5 full points clear of 5th which is Liverpool. The missed opportunities have to stay a myth, if Manchester United ever decide to go back to winning ways.

Thank You, Next

We’re at a very awkward end about deciding who is the next manager for the job at Manchester United. The first week of January just past, which means one week of the transfer window gone and moves have not been able to be made just yet, (besides Antoine Semenyo, who has decidedly signed with Manchester City). Darren Fletcher has now stepped in as the Interim manager, while talks of bringing a familiar face in good ol’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the caretaker for the rest of the season seem to be in place. (Although since the writing of this article, it seems Michael Carrick may be in line instead).

At the hopes of potentially bringing in some depth and dropping some dead weight, as well as some balance in the midfield. As previously mentioned in “Manchester United: Is The Flame Out For The Red Devils?”, Baleba, Gallagher, or Gordon are further evaluated, as we wait to see what transpires this January transfer window for the Red Devils.

Baleba doesn’t seem to have a deciding price tag as with a poor form, the price is still high for a young potential ridden Cameroonian, yet the justification for paying for that steep a price is far too much. Gallagher has also had somewhat poor form with Atletico Madrid, but his presence at the Red Devils would stay as a substitute anyways, hopefully at least. Meanwhile Gordon is one of the few prospects United can realistically sign, but at least Newcastle are somewhat consistent in their form.

The reality is, money is low, hopes are low, and morale is mixed, what a time to be a Red Devil. With a owner who also doesn’t have much care in improving said situation, we leave it up to the operations and scouting teams to see if they can work with the next new gaffer at the head of this drama-filled ship.

Now the real search that should’ve happened in November of 2023 begins.

Searching The Next Victim or Hero?

As of the few days I have been editing and revising this article, Manchester United have played two games, including a loss in the FA Cup to Brighton with a unecessary red card being picked up by the Red Devils, and another opportunity thrown out the window as they now crash out of the only cup they were a part of, that wasn’t the Premier League.

Michael Carrick has now emerged as the main face that will take over the Man United job, yet it is unclear if this will be a permanent role, or a caretaker role, until a true candidate is found throughout the summer. Wayne Rooney has also been rumored to join Michael Carrick as an interim assistant to find some form of footing until that final 38th matchday comes around, and the suffering ends this season.

Two main candidates are being looked at for the Red Devils’ job and both of them are Premier League veteran managers in Oliver Glasner which is the current Crystal Palace manager, as well as Roberto de Zerbi, current Marsielle head coach in Ligue 1, but was the head of the Brighton golden era when players such as Robert Sanchez, Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, and Pervis Estupinan to name a few.

Both of these candidates, do seem very different to the normal candidates we hear being pursued by Manchester United, which is not a bad sign at all. De Zerbi is known for developing talent in the Premier League, meanwhile Glasner has a long history of bringing underdogs into the spotlight.

Glasner who led Eintracht Frankfurt to a Europa League victory in 2021-22, came in to Crystal Palace in 2024 and in the same season led them to an FA Cup victory over Man City, their first ever trophy in their history. Just a few months later beating the Premier League champions in Liverpool in the FA Community Shield on penalties as well.

The truth is, the Manchester United managerial job becomes more and more undesirable as time passes. Not necessarily due to the club not having talent, because some of these players clearly play with a passion that many before them have not, yet the magnifying glass that comes with being a “Big 6” club and the continued pressures from the media of being bigger than they truthfully currently are, will never escape them.

The fact also continues being that, until this club faces they need to suffer before they decide to continue dishing out big money for players that may or may not perform, as well as stubborn managers that will improve the culture slightly, nothing will get much better than a mid-table team that sees no European competitions, sub-par performances week-in and week-out, as well as a disappointed fanbase that is tired of watching their boyhood club become a sad state of affairs.

One can only hope to see Manchester United compete again, as even their biggest hater would love to see fruitful competition come from their grounds again. However, until then, we only hope one day a savior comes to the mantles of this cursed club, and we hope that morale never fades, as neither does the red that the devils bleed.