Manchester United have disclosed that the dismissal of Ruben Amorim could result in a financial outlay of up to £15.9 million, according to documents filed with the New York Stock Exchange.
Amorim was relieved of his duties on 5 January, one day after publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. The potential payout was detailed as an “event that occurred after the reporting period” in United’s second-quarter financial results to 31 December 2025, which showed a profit of £32.6m.
The filing confirmed that £6.3m — the amortised portion of the fee paid to secure Amorim from Sporting CP in November 2024 — has been written off. In addition, the club has made a provision of £15.9m, representing the maximum potential liability owed to Amorim and his coaching staff. While the documentation does not specify the precise triggers for the full payment, sources indicate it may depend on clauses linked to future employment.
Amorim, 41, has not spoken publicly since his departure, and individuals close to him suggest there are no immediate plans for him to do so.
The financial impact underscores what has become an expensive managerial overhaul at Old Trafford. In a previous filing dated 27 November 2024, United confirmed they paid £11m to Sporting to appoint Amorim as successor to Erik ten Hag, whose own exit package cost £10.4m.
In total, the managerial transition — including appointment, compensation, and dismissal-related costs — could amount to £37.3m.
Amorim’s 14-month tenure was the shortest of any permanent United manager since David Moyes was dismissed after eight months in 2014. On the pitch, results fell short of expectations: he won 25 of 63 matches, guided the club to a 15th-place Premier League finish — United’s worst league performance since relegation in 1973-74 — and oversaw defeat in the Europa League final. The absence of European qualification this season marks only the second time since 1990 the club will not feature in continental competition.
This campaign also included a Carabao Cup second-round exit on penalties to Grimsby Town, then competing in League Two — a result widely viewed as a significant embarrassment.
United were sixth in the league when Amorim was dismissed, days after a reported fallout with director of football Jason Wilcox.
Following a brief interim spell by former midfielder Darren Fletcher at under-18 level, Michael Carrick has been placed in charge until the end of the season. His impact has been immediate: a 2-0 victory over Everton on Monday marked five wins from six matches, lifting United to fourth place and strengthening their prospects of qualifying for the Champions League.
The NYSE filing also outlined adjustments to United’s credit arrangements. The club increased its revolving credit facility by £50m to £400m, repaid £75m, and currently carries £215m in outstanding debt under that facility.
Additionally, the report disclosed that £600,000 worth of “sponsorship services” had been provided to Ineos Automotive Ltd, a subsidiary of the Ineos group controlled by minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe.
Taken together, the disclosures highlight the dual challenge facing Manchester United: balancing financial restructuring with the urgent need for sustained on-field stability after a costly and ultimately unsuccessful managerial experiment.
