On 5/1, London time, journalist Fabrizio Romano posted a photo on Instagram announcing Man Utd's decision to sack Amorim. Less than 20 minutes later, Garnacho was seen liking the post.

Garnacho liked the Instagram post announcing Man Utd's dismissal of manager Ruben Amorim. Photo: screenshot

Garnacho started 25 of 40 matches under Amorim at Man Utd, but their most significant interactions were likely their disagreements. After the Europa League final loss to Tottenham, the Argentine forward publicly protested being benched for Mason Mount. Previously, he and Marcus Rashford were dropped from the squad for the 26/2/2025 Premier League victory against Manchester City in the 16th round.

On 24/11/2024, Garnacho also posted an image expressing dissatisfaction after being substituted during a match against Ipswich Town. He later had to apologize to Amorim privately and offered to treat the entire team to dinner as compensation.

During the summer 2025 transfer window, Amorim warned Garnacho he would be benched all season if he did not leave Man Utd. In late August, the 21-year-old forward moved to Chelsea for 51 million USD, signing a contract until 2032. He has scored one goal in 13 Premier League appearances this season.

Garnacho (left) showed his displeasure when substituted during Man Utd's 3-2 victory over Ipswich in the 27th round of the Premier League at Old Trafford on the evening of 26/2/2025. Photo: Reuters

Amorim lost his job after 14 months at the helm of Man Utd. Under the Portuguese manager, the Manchester club played 63 matches, with 21 losses, 18 draws, and 25 wins — a 38.1% win rate. The team scored 122 goals and conceded 114 times.

Before his contract was terminated, Amorim made a series of statements hinting at conflicts with the Man Utd board, especially Football Director Jason Wilcox. During Christmas, the 40-year-old manager stated that to perfectly implement a 3-4-3 formation, Man Utd would require significant investment and time. After a draw against Leeds, he stressed his role as a manager, not just a head coach, at Man Utd, and publicly targeted Wilcox with the message, "do your job well."

Following his public confrontation with the board, Amorim faced a wave of criticism from Premier League legends. On "The Rest Is Football" program, former player Alan Shearer suggested Amorim's fate was sealed when he entered a battle the club was almost certain to win.

According to Shearer, Amorim's frustration likely stemmed from Man Utd's near-inactivity in the January transfer window. He believed the Portuguese manager was trying to assert his authority, wanting to prove he was "the boss" rather than just a hired coach.

Shearer further analyzed that Amorim might have been under pressure to change his tactical system. His adjustment of the lineup against Newcastle, which yielded a positive result, followed by a return to a three-at-the-back system without success against Wolves, may have strengthened Amorim's resolve to do things his own way.

Shearer concluded that the conflict between his actual role and desired authority, coupled with the lack of squad reinforcements, led Amorim to make such harsh statements. "When a manager publicly criticizes the sporting director or CEO, there's almost certainly only one loser. I don't see this lasting much longer," he stated.

Manager Ruben Amorim talks with Sporting Director Jason Wilcox during a Man Utd training session.

Similarly, Wayne Rooney expressed confusion, suggesting Amorim's critical statements carried a confidence and authority as if he were certain to remain in his position for a long time. "His choice of words was strange and confusing," Rooney commented. "He spoke with a certainty as if he knew he would be manager for another 18 months, despite the last two matches not going well."

The former England forward frankly stated that Amorim lacked the authority to dictate everything at a major club like Man Utd. "If it were Pep Guardiola, no one would question what he wants, from players to tactical systems. But Amorim isn't a Pep or a Jurgen Klopp. He doesn't have that history or foundation."

However, Rooney also sympathized with Amorim, noting the current squad lacked depth, with the substitutes' bench primarily composed of young academy players. "It's great to see young players on the field, but are they ready? It's very difficult to throw them in when the team isn't performing well," the former Man Utd captain said.

Nevertheless, the former England forward concluded that the disparity between Amorim's ambition, authority, and results made his statements dangerous. "I don't think he'll get another 18 months if things continue like this. What he said, to me, was truly baffling," Rooney finished.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher stated that Amorim could not demand or question the Man Utd board about anything because he lacked the credentials to work in the Premier League.