Rúben Amorim’s reign at Manchester United has entered turbulent territory as 2025 draws to a close, with hopes of his appointment leading to uncertainty and frustration.
A so-called bold tactical reset has begun to emerge, and the warning signs were impossible to ignore following a disappointing 1-1 draw against lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.
That result has fueled scrutiny of Amorim’s methods, particularly his unwavering commitment to a 3-4-3 formation.
After the Wolves draw, he insisted that abandoning his principles would be a huge mistake, saying that changing his plan due to outside pressure would be his “real end”.
Initially, Amorim had the strong support of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS leadership team, who were willing to allow a long rebuilding period.
However, United’s continued struggles, lack of cutting edge in the final third, and increasing distance from the Champions League places have shaken that patience.
Man United may be looking to replace Ruben Amorim
Sources close to the agent’s industry have been informed CaughtOffside that the Red Devils have started working on plans to replace Amorim at Old Trafford.
Although the club are adamant that Amorim is still their man, sources suggest that contingency plans are being quietly considered behind the scenes.
Among the names being discussed internally is Oliver Glasner, whose recent success and Premier League experience at Crystal Palace make him an attractive “safe hand”.
The numbers below show that Glasner’s record at Palace was significantly better than Amorim’s record at Man United in 2025.
| Mathematics | Ruben Amorim (Man Utd) | Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) | The difference |
| The same is held | 47 | 48 | – |
| It wins | 16 | 24 | Glasner (+8) |
| Drawings | 15 | 12 | Amorim (+3) |
| Loss | 16 | 12 | Amorim (+4) |
| Win Percentage | 34.0% | 50.0% | Glasner (+16.0%) |
| Points Per Game | 1.34 | 1.75 | Glasner (+0.41) |
| Goals Scored | 62 | 74 | Glasner (+12) |
| Goals Scored | 68 | 58 | Glasner (Best) |
The Red Devils are not the only candidates interested in Glasner. Premier League rivals Chelsea are also keeping a close eye on the Palace manager.
Glasner guided Palace to FA Cup and Community Shield success this year, beating Manchester City and Liverpool in the finals, respectively.
The Red Devils have a few managers on their radar
Other figures reported to be under consideration include Xavi, who is respected for his technical ability, and AFC Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, whose high-energy style and adaptability in the Premier League have won praise.
Injuries have decimated Man United’s squad, limiting Amorim’s options and forcing constant turnover.
He sees the January 2026 transfer window as an important opportunity to finally bring in players who fit his plan.
The board, however, is understood to be cautious, reluctant to make large investments without clear signs of progress on the ground.
Sources: Man United star becomes prime move for Champions League club
