🔗 Share this article

The Old Trafford club have terminated the contract of manager their Portuguese head coach after just 14 months in charge. The decision comes following a significant power struggle over recruitment strategy and even with the team's unbeaten run.

The Breaking Point

Tensions between the manager and the club's leadership, specifically director of football the recruitment chief, had been strained for a period. The immediate catalyst is believed to have been statements made by the coach after the recent 1-1 draw with Leeds United. He publicly told the recruitment team to "do their job," emphasizing a major disagreement.

"I was hired as the manager of Manchester United – not to be the coach. That is clear. I know my name is not Tuchel, Mourinho or Conte but I’m the manager. It’s going to be like this for 18 months or until the board decide to change. I’m not going to quit, I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me."

A Struggling Reign

On paper, the Portuguese manager's time at the club was poor. He leaves with a record of victories of under 40% and a league points average of just 1.24 in the top flight. The team suffered more defeats than it won in the calendar year 2025.

Paradoxically, his final games showed a slight improvement. United were defeated only once of his last eight matches and currently sit in sixth place in the standings, just a narrow margin off the prized fourth place.

The Last Five Matches

• 4-4 draw vs Bournemouth (Home)
• 2-1 loss vs Aston Villa (Away)
• 1-0 win vs Newcastle United (Home)
• 1-1 draw vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (Home)
• 1-1 draw vs Leeds United (Away)

Official Statement

In its statement, the club presented the decision as one aimed at securing the highest seasonal position.

"With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has after careful consideration 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."

The Immediate Future

In the immediate aftermath, former player the Scot will assume control on an interim basis. He is scheduled to be in the dugout for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Burnley.

For the long-term position, bookmakers and pundits are speculating a number of possible successors. Names in the frame include former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández, Oliver Glasner, Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate, and Enzo Maresca.

The Court of Public Opinion

The announcement has generated mixed reactions among supporters and commentators. Some point to the poor performances and style as valid reasons, while others argue the club's hierarchy must bear a large responsibility for continuous turmoil.

One viewpoint suggests: "{Between the consistently bad performances and results, the rather abhorrent win ratio and the inflexible approach, he has no one else to blame but himself... INEOS and their ‘best-in-class’ claims should, however, feel a large brunt of the fan’s rage; this was a farce from beginning to end."

A counter-argument states: "It seems unreasonable to blame results when the team are joint fifth in the table... They’ve beaten Liverpool, Chelsea... and have lost only twice since 1 October. Just watching them you can see they’re a better team than last year."

The search for a permanent successor and the pursuit for stability at Old Trafford begins anew.