Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Mikel Arteta could be tempted to leave Arsenal for Manchester United after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, arguing that most leading coaches would at least listen. Amorim’s departure
ends a 14-month spell at Old Trafford and leaves United again searching for a new manager while Darren Fletcher prepares to guide the team for the upcoming Burnley fixture.
United confirmed on Monday that Amorim had been removed from the role after a tense period, which followed a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. The 40-year-old appeared to criticise the club’s leadership in recent media duties, stressing that Amorim viewed the role as manager rather than head coach and wanted stronger influence on player recruitment decisions.
During Amorim’s time in charge, United played 63 matches in all competitions and won 24, drawing 18 and losing 21. United reached the Europa League final last season under Amorim but lost 1-0 to Tottenham. In the Premier League, there were only 15 wins from 47 games, giving Amorim a 32% league win rate, the lowest for any United manager in the competition.
This campaign, Amorim had steered United up to sixth place in the Premier League table. The team sits three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, with United trying to secure a return to European competition after missing out this season. The change in manager comes while that race is still active, adding extra pressure on the club’s next move.
Ferdinand argued that Manchester United would remain attractive to many elite coaches despite recent instability. On his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "Unai Emery would be someone who would absolutely jump at the chance," before explaining that only one Premier League manager would feel fully satisfied staying put and ignore United’s approach.
Continuing the discussion, Ferdinand stated: "Pep Guardiola's the only manager in the league who I think would sit there and go, 'I'm content where I am, I'm happy where I am, and I don't need it'. " Ferdinand then added that, despite Arteta’s strong position at Arsenal, "He's never gonna say it, he would never say it out loud. But I'm telling you, Mikel Arteta would sit there [and consider it]. "
Manchester United, Mikel Arteta and Ruben Amorim: press conferences, mood and hierarchy tension
Ferdinand described a noticeable change in Amorim’s mood in recent weeks, linking it to disagreements with club officials. Ferdinand said: "I saw his last two press conferences, and I was thinking, 'Something isn't right here'. This guy, one of his best traits and most likeable things, has been his ability to be quite punchy in his press conferences, upbeat, jovial. The last two that he did looked depressing. I didn't say it [at the time], but the last time I went there [Manchester United] and interviewed Bruno Fernandes, I saw the manager and Ruben, and I had a chat for 5-10 minutes. He was warm, he spends a lot of time with you, and he goes into detail. He's open as you like; he's an open book. But when I went there the last time, I noticed immediately that there was a coldness about him, and there was a real difference to what I'd seen before. Now I look back with hindsight, I think things were starting to cook before Christmas. This isn't just an overnight thing in terms of his dialogue with the hierarchy and the way he's been feeling about things. This coldness I saw in the last two press conferences, I saw it in him. The vibe in the training ground around the players felt good, but he just felt a little bit distant. "
Amorim’s earlier comments about his job title added to that picture of strain. In a recent press conference, Amorim stressed that the appointment had been as a manager, not simply a head coach, implying that Amorim believed transfer policy should involve stronger input from the technical staff, rather than being led mainly by others within the club hierarchy.
The club’s statement on Amorim’s departure was released alongside a social media post, underlining the sudden nature of the move.
Club statement: Ruben Amorim.Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2026
Darren Fletcher, formerly a United midfielder, will handle preparations and team selection for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley. Reports indicate United prefer a caretaker manager until the end of the season, allowing more time to assess long-term options and to negotiate with candidates who are currently under contract elsewhere.
Attention now turns to possible permanent appointments, with Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate reportedly leading the shortlist. Glasner’s agreement with Crystal Palace ends after the 2025-26 season, which may influence any approach, while Southgate’s status with England brings separate timing factors. United’s decision must balance these options with the ongoing league campaign and the club’s broader strategic direction.
