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New Delhi: Following Ruben Amorim's explosive post-match press conference on Sunday, the Portuguese's contract termination was a matter of when, not if. The sacking seemed inevitable after Amorim questioned the United hierarchy after the 1-1 draw at Leeds United, but hardly anyone predicted it would be so soon.
Hours after his fate-sealing presser, Amorim was handed the pink slip by Man United after 14 months in charge. While United mentioned the decision was made after taking the performances and position of the club into consideration, it was not the only reason behind Amorim's sacking.
"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," United said in a statement. "This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish."
Former player and youth coach Darren Fletcher will take charge of of the club against Burnley on Wednesday.
The announcement came immediately after he made provocative comments about his position is no coincidence. If reports are to be believed, the United top bosses were not happy with Amorim's tactics and his stubbornness to change them.
Last week, reports surfaced that the hierarchy had questioned his tactics.
The results and performances didn't help the cause of Amorim, who left Sporting Lisbon mid-season to join United last November.
The 40-year-old won 25, lost 23 and drew 15 of his 63 games in charge of the Red Devils and with a 38.1 per cent win record, he goes out with the worst record as a United manager in the post-Alex Ferguson era.
United's defensive record under Amorim has been dismal to say the least. Only four clubs conceded more goals in the league than United (72) during Amorim's time in charge - Tottenham (76), Wolves (81) and West Ham (84), and since his arrival, only Hammers (six) have kept fewer clean sheets than United (seven).
That's why it's not a surprise that Amorim's 14-month stint is the shortest reign of a permanent manager at United since David Moyes was sacked just eight months into his spell in 2014
Amorim, who is he sixth permanent manager or coach to be discarded since Ferguson retired in 2013, oversaw several unwanted records, including the club's lowest finish in the Premier League era last season.
Amorim apologised to fans at the end of last season when United finished 15th in the standings after recording its highest number of losses in a Premier League season, but promised a better season ahead.
While results have improved, and so has the position (joint 5th), August's penalty shootout defeat at League Two Grimsby in the second round of the Carabao Cup and a pair of Premier League draws against bottom-placed Wolves and Leeds proved to be the low points of Amorim's campaign this season.
Several reputed media outlets in the UK are reporting that United are planning to appoint a caretaker for the rest of the season, while former midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge for Wednesday's Premier League game against Burnley.
The Red Devils plan to appoint a permanent manager in the summer.
