The aftermath of Rúben Amorim’s sacking on January 5, 2026, has pulled back the curtain on a fractured relationship between the manager and the Manchester United board.
While the club spent over £250 million during his 14-month tenure, new reports reveal that Amorim was “frustrated” after being denied the chance to sign four specific players from his former club, Sporting CP.
These targets were considered the “spine” of the 3-4-2-1 system he desperately tried to implement at Old Trafford.
The Four Sporting CP Stars Vetoed by Man Utd
According to recent leaks, the Manchester United hierarchy—led by Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox—blocked moves for a quartet of players Amorim viewed as essential for his “Superteam.” The board reportedly felt these signings were too expensive or didn’t align with their data-led recruitment strategy:
- Geovany Quenda (18): The sensational winger was Amorim’s top choice for the right-wing-back role. After United hesitated, Quenda reportedly agreed to a summer 2026 move to Chelsea.
- Ousmane Diomande (22): Amorim wanted the physical center-back to anchor his back three, but the club prioritized other targets, leaving Diomande in Lisbon.
- Morten Hjulmand (26): The Sporting captain was seen by Amorim as the perfect “Number 6” to fix United’s midfield woes. The board, however, preferred pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
- Salvador Blopa (18): A promising wing-back whom Amorim believed was the future of the left flank, yet he too was denied a move to Manchester.
A Failed Experiment: 14 Months of Tactical Friction
The refusal to sign these specific players highlights why Amorim’s time at Manchester United is being labeled a failure. He oversaw a disastrous 15th-place finish in 2024/25 and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Before his sacking, Amorim admitted, “If we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend money and need time. I’m starting to understand that is not going to happen.”
This public critique of the Manchester United board is widely believed to be the final straw that led to his “reluctant” dismissal.
What’s Next for Manchester United?
With Amorim gone, Darren Fletcher will lead the team as interim manager for the clash against Burnley on Wednesday, January 7. Meanwhile, the club is reportedly in talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjær for a potential sensational return as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
The “Superteam” project has been scrapped, and the focus has shifted back to a more traditional four-at-the-back system, much to the relief of players like Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes.
Do you think Manchester United was right to block Amorim from turning the squad into “Sporting Manchester,” or did they set him up for failure by not backing his system?
