Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim - as favourites to replace him are revealed

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been sacked after 14 months in charge.

The 40-year-old joined the club 14 months ago from Sporting Lisbon and has struggled throughout his time in the dugout. Amorim has already said his goodbyes and has left United's training ground, according to Sky Sports News.

Darren Fletcher, United's under-18s lead coach, is taking charge of the club on an interim basis. It follows a dramatic news conference from Amorim on Sunday, where he claimed he joined Manchester United "to be their manager, not their head coach".

It came after a 1-1 draw with rivals Leeds United, with the Red Devils sitting sixth in the Premier League table. In a statement, Manchester United said: "Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.

"Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May. "With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club's leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change.

This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. "The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future.

"Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday." According to Oddschecker, Fletcher is third favourite to take the full-time job at around 4/1. The manager currently backed as the most likely to take the reins at Old Trafford is former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

The Italian left Stamford Bridge last week after a fallout with the Blues' hierarchy and is priced as short as 2/1 with some bookies. Crystal Palace's much-admired Oliver Glasner, who took the Eagles to FA Cup and Community Shield victory in 2024, is second favourite behind Maresca at 7/2.

The bookies have former England manager Gareth Southgate (7/1) and ex Barcelona midfielder and manager Xavi Hernandez (10/1) filling out the top five. Football pundit and former Manchester United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports News he believes Amorim came across as "honest and authentic".

But he said: "If the performances are that poor and the results are so poor, it doesn't matter how likeable you are, how honest you are, how much integrity you've got, you're going to get sacked at a club like Manchester United." Neville also said he believes Manchester United could still make it into the Champions League, but "they need an experienced coach who knows how to get them over the line". He added there had been some "brilliant coaches.