Amorim had a fierce confrontation with a Manchester United star before being dismissed.

Prior to being sacked, Ruben Amorim encountered a heated confrontation on the training ground with a senior player, causing a stir in the Man United locker room.

The intense confrontation between Lisandro Martinez and Ruben Amorim during a closed training session at Carrington left many Manchester United players stunned. According to The Athletic, the Argentine defender expressed clear dissatisfaction, believing he was fit and in form to start but was repeatedly excluded from the head coach’s plans.

Sources from The Mirror revealed that Martinez spoke directly with Amorim in a manner “very tense” ahead of matches against Crystal Palace and West Ham. He felt undervalued, especially given Man United’s defensive instability. Notably, Amorim did not shy away but embraced the challenge positively, viewing it as a sign of passion and competitive spirit.

However, it was not until the victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day that Martinez was first named in the starting lineup. Shortly after, the 1998-born defender was even given the captain’s armband by Amorim in the last two matches he managed, against Wolves and Leeds United. Reports suggest this was a sign of respect from Amorim, who admired Martinez’s energy and fighting spirit.

Still, this tense relationship was only part of a bigger picture at Old Trafford. Some Man United players reportedly wanted Amorim to improve his internal communication skills, despite his friendly demeanor towards fans and club staff. These simmering issues gradually accumulated, creating a sensitive atmosphere in the dressing room.

The climax came after the draw with Leeds United, when Amorim held a sharp press conference, openly criticizing sporting director Jason Wilcox and asserting his role as “director,” not just head coach. He emphasized: “I came here to be the director of Manchester United, not merely the head coach,” and called on other departments to “do their jobs properly.”

Man United’s management quickly assessed Amorim’s position as untenable. The club announced the departure of the Portuguese coach, despite him having led the team to the Europa League final and securing sixth place in the Premier League. In the short term, Darren Fletcher will act as interim manager, while in the long term, the “fracture” stemming from the Amorim-Martinez clash is seen as a clear sign that a cycle at Old Trafford has come to an end.