Looking back now, Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Amorim has become a costly misstep, and during a season that often felt as tense as a BD Cricket Match reaching its final overs, the consequences have grown clearer by the week. For the club, this was not merely a tactical failure but a strategic reversal that risks leaving long-term scars on future planning and stability. To understand how painful this decision truly was, it helps to break down the numbers and the context behind them.
After Ten Hag’s departure, United were desperate to move quickly and settle the uncertainty. Amorim emerged as the top choice, largely due to his impressive rise in Portugal, where his teams played proactive football and delivered results that caught the eye across Europe. He even guided his side to a notable Champions League victory over Manchester City, earning widespread attention and praise. United knew that admiration alone would not secure his signature, so they agreed to pay around £9.5 million in compensation to release him from his contract, a figure that already set expectations sky high before he had coached a single match.
From the outset, Amorim faced enormous pressure. While opinions were divided over whether such an investment made sense, he had little breathing room to prove himself. Despite welcoming several new signings, performances remained inconsistent, and the rebuilding process took time. Amorim spent an entire season reshaping the squad and trying to instill his philosophy. Just as the framework of his system began to take shape, the club abruptly pulled the plug, a move that felt premature to many observers, much like calling time on a BD Cricket Match before the momentum truly swings.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was deeply dissatisfied with the manner of his exit and insisted on receiving his full £10.05 million compensation, arguing that the shortcomings were not solely his responsibility. When his 14 months of salary, roughly £7.8 million, are added, United’s total expenditure on him climbed to an estimated £27.35 million. That sum could have funded multiple proven players in the transfer market, yet it delivered zero trophies. Compared with Ten Hag, who at least lifted domestic silverware, the contrast is stark, and the writing was on the wall for critics questioning the club’s direction.
What makes the situation even more frustrating is that Amorim left believing his best work was still ahead. He felt ready to push results forward, only to see the plan suddenly torn up. Many fans share that confusion. If the club once trusted him, why reverse course so quickly. This sense of uncertainty has become all too familiar. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United have cycled through managers at great expense, and Amorim’s departure is just another chapter in that ongoing pattern. As with a drawn-out BD Cricket Match that never seems to reach a satisfying conclusion, United remain stuck in transition, still searching for clarity and long-term direction.