Manchester United held private talks with Tuchel and De Zerbi before appointing Amorim
According to internal reports, Manchester United secretly met with Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi before deciding to appoint Ruben Amorim. The meetings reportedly took place in 2024, shortly before the club dismissed Erik ten Hag, suggesting that Amorim was not the Red Devils’ first choice.
A year into his tenure, Amorim has yet to make a strong impression. In the 2024/25 season, Manchester United finished 15th with just 42 points — the worst result in their Premier League history. As the 2025/26 season begins, things have not improved much: the team has dropped points in five of their first ten matches. A recent 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest has only deepened doubts about Amorim’s coaching ability.
The Portuguese manager has faced criticism for his tactical choices, particularly for deploying Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro, which has left the midfield exposed. He has also been questioned for not giving more opportunities to young players like Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro, despite their promising performances in training.
Even so, analysts believe United’s current squad still has potential. New signings such as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Šeško have added quality in attack, while goalkeeper Senne Lammens is gradually stabilizing the defence. Young defender Leny Yoro is also seen as a key talent who could flourish with proper management.
However, given the team’s poor form and growing pressure, Ruben Amorim’s future at Old Trafford appears more uncertain than ever.