Rio Ferdinand offers INEOS four options to replace Amorim, the last name will terrify United fans

Manchester United parted ways with Ruben Amorim on Monday after a turbulent spell at Old Trafford. Tension was high at the Theatre of Dreams following the Portuguese’s public outburst after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, 4 January, in the Premier League. The Red Devils’ recent poor run did not help the former Sporting Clube de Portugal manager’s cause, with the team managing just three wins in their last ten Premier League games. INEOS ultimately decided that the time was right for a change at the helm and removed him from the position on Monday. Amorim’s poor record at United Amorim took charge at United in November 2024, having transformed Sporting’s fortunes during his four-year stay at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. However, he failed to hit the ground running at the Theatre of Dreams, finishing the 2024/25 season in 15th place in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. INEOS, however, backed him over the summer, investing over £200 million in his vision to sign Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens. There were signs of improvement, especially in the final third, but the team struggled for consistency, ultimately forcing the English giants to take a stand. Amorim departed with an embarrassing record, having managed just 24 wins in 63 games in charge of the Red Devils. Ruben Amorim Managerial Stats TeamFromToGames PlayedGames WonGames DrawnGames LostWin % Casa Pia1 July 20187 January 2019430175.00 Braga B16 September 201923 December 20191182172.73 Braga23 December 20194 March 202013101276.92 Sporting CP4 March 202010 November 2024231164343371.00 Manchester United11 November 20245 January 20266324182138.10 Career total——322209555864.91 Source: Wikipedia. United have since announced that Darren Fletcher will remain in charge for the midweek game against Burnley. However, the rumour mill is already in overdrive, and several managers have been linked with the hot seat at the Theatre of Dreams. Club legend Rio Ferdinand has now named his four choices for the job. Ferdinand’s four-man managerial shortlist Sharing his views on Twitter, Ferdinand named Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi, England manager Thomas Tuchel, former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, and Fletcher as options for the job. He wrote: “I would go…. De Zerbi / Tuchel / Xavi or Darren Fletcher if does well?” De Zerbi has previously been linked with United, and already has experience of managing in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. Meanwhile, Xavi is also a long-term target for the Red Devils hierarchy and is reportedly under consideration at the moment. Tuchel, on the other hand, was considered by INEOS in the summer of 2024, before they decided to stick with Erik ten Hag. While Fletcher has done a commendable job with the youth side so far, it is difficult to see him as a long-term option given his lack of top-level managerial experience. Final Thoughts United fans must be sick of the vicious managerial cycle that has crippled the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. The Red Devils’ quest to return to the glory days has yet to bear fruit after a series of false starts, including the patient rebuilding promised by INEOS under Amorim. The Portuguese’s departure, therefore, brings more uncertainty to the ongoing chaos at Old Trafford. Fans will hope that the next manager can finally break the cycle and get the club back to its heyday. I would go….De Zerbi / Tuchel / Xavi or Darren Fletcher if does well?#MUFC — Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) January 5, 2026 Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.