Manchester United's struggles run deeper than a simple managerial change. Once a global football powerhouse, the club's decline is not just about ambition, but also about execution. The recent sacking of manager Ruben Amorim has been framed as a necessary decision, citing inconsistent results and uneven performances. However, this narrative risks overlooking the underlying issues plaguing the club.
The Cycle of Poor Decisions
Manchester United finds itself stuck in a cycle of poor business decisions, with the arrival of Ineos, led by petrochemical billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, failing to break the pattern. Ineos was brought in to bring modern governance, football expertise, and significant investment, aiming to return the club to the top of English, European, and world football. Yet, despite these promises, the club continues to display the same damaging tendencies that have defined the era after Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary management period.
The Predictable Operating Model
Manchester United's operating model has become predictable. The club appoints a "project" manager with a clear philosophy and reputation for innovation, setting high expectations. However, structural failures, such as misaligned recruitment and wage strategies, create a disconnect between the board, technical director, and manager. Players inherited do not fit the system, while new signings are compromises driven by availability, commercial logic, or short-term pressure rather than long-term squad building. This leaves the head coach as the scapegoat, with power split between executives, technical directors, and owners.
Underperformance and Reset
Underperformance follows, triggering anxiety at the board level and among supporters. The squad looks mismatched, results fluctuate, and narratives of decline re-emerge. The reset button is pressed, the manager is dismissed, and the cycle begins again. Reports since Amorim's sacking have detailed tensions over control, recruitment, and tactical direction, with the manager hinting at frustrations behind the scenes.
Financial Consequences
Sacking managers is a costly business. Amorim left with 18 months remaining on his contract, costing the club an estimated £12 million in compensation. Since 2014, the cumulative cost of sacking managers and senior staff has been close to £100 million. Externally, instability weakens Manchester United's negotiating position, with elite players viewing the club as a risk rather than a destination. This indecision is exploited by rivals with coherent structures, particularly if the club continues to miss out on the UEFA Champions League, the biggest club football tournament in Europe.
The Way Forward
Manchester United must decide who truly owns the football vision and protect that vision through recruitment, patience, and structural alignment. Until then, no managerial appointment will succeed for long. The club's biggest problem is not who stands on the touchline, but how the club makes decisions when the cameras are off.
