Manchester United have reportedly identified five possible replacements for manager Ruben Amorim as pressure mounts on the Portuguese coach after a poor start to the season.
According to reports, former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is among the leading candidates, alongside Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, ex-England coach Gareth Southgate, Fulham’s Marco Silva, and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Amorim, who only took charge at Old Trafford this summer, has overseen the club’s worst start to a season in 33 years. United have managed just one win from their first four Premier League games of the 2025/26 campaign. Reports suggest the dressing room is unsettled, with captain Bruno Fernandes unhappy about being deployed in a deeper midfield role.
The 39-year-old manager has refused to abandon his preferred 3-4-3 formation despite mounting criticism. Speaking after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Amorim said: “It’s not a record that you should have in Manchester United. There are a lot of things that you have no idea what happened during these months, but I accept that. But I’m not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.”
Manchester United, however, face a costly decision if they choose to dismiss Amorim. His contract reportedly includes a £12 million ($17m) payout should he be sacked within his first year.
The next three matches are expected to determine his future, with United set to host Chelsea at Old Trafford this weekend before facing Brentford and Sunderland. After the international break, they travel to Anfield for a showdown with fierce rivals Liverpool — a game that could prove decisive for Amorim’s tenure.
