The dismissal of Ruben Amorim could cost Manchester United nearly 16 million.

Manchester United is facing a financial storm following the termination of manager Ruben Amorim’s contract, which could cost the club nearly £16 million. Amorim’s dismissal, which occurred on January 5, came after a public attack on the club’s hierarchy following a 1-1 draw against Leeds, a result that raised many questions about his leadership.

The amount was revealed in a notification sent to the New York Stock Exchange, one day after the club announced a profit of £32.6 million in its second-quarter results, ending December 31, 2025. The statement detailed that the amortized cost of £6.3 million, related to Amorim’s transfer from Sporting to Old Trafford in November 2024, was canceled, and a “provision of £15.9 million” was established. This figure represents the maximum amount that Manchester United may be obligated to pay to Amorim and his coaching staff.

Although the report does not specify what could trigger the higher payment, sources familiar with the situation indicated that it is related to a future professional placement. This dismissal marks the end of an expensive management experience that proved disastrous.

In a previous statement dated November 27, 2024, the club revealed that it paid £11 million to Sporting to hire Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag, whose departure cost £10.4 million. Thus, the changes surrounding Amorim could total £37.3 million.

Amorim’s brief reign, which lasted only 14 months, was the shortest of any permanent manager at Old Trafford since David Moyes was dismissed after just eight months in 2014. During his tenure, Amorim won 25 of 63 matches, leading the team to finish in 15th place in the Premier League, the worst performance by Manchester United since being relegated in the 1973-74 season. Additionally, the team lost the Europa League final, resulting in a lack of European football this season, only the second time since 1990.

During this period, Amorim saw his team humiliated by Grimsby, of League Two, who defeated them on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup. When he was dismissed, United was in sixth place in the Premier League, following a breakdown in relations with sporting director Jason Wilcox, which culminated in an internal crisis.

After Amorim’s departure, the club appointed the under-18 coach and former United player, Darren Fletcher, as interim manager for two games. However, it was Michael Carrick who took on the role until the end of the season, already achieving five wins in six matches, including a convincing victory over Everton, which placed the team in fourth position and well-positioned for qualification for the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Manchester United confirmed that it has increased the credit limit of its credit line by £50 million, bringing the total to £400 million, while paying off £75 million, reducing the existing debt to £215 million. The report also mentioned the payment of £600,000 for “sponsorship services” to Ineos Automotive Ltd, a subsidiary of the Ineos group, which is owned by the club’s minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The club’s financial situation continues to be a concern as fans and analysts await significant changes in management and team structure.