From Europa League Heartbreak to Grimsby Humiliation: Ranking Manchester United’s 10 Lowest Points Under Ruben Amorim
Manchester United have finally drawn the curtain on Ruben Amorim’s troubled reign. On Monday morning, the club confirmed that the Portuguese coach had “left his position as head coach,” explaining that the decision was made with reluctance in order to give the team the best chance of achieving the highest possible finish in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim era ends in disappointment. Here is a ranked look at the 10 worst moments of his turbulent spell at Old Trafford, from league failures to cup embarrassments.
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At first glance, United’s league position hardly looks disastrous. Sitting sixth and only three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, the table suggests progress compared to last season’s 15th-place finish. However, the underlying picture was far less encouraging, with just one win in Amorim’s last five league matches and continued confusion caused by rigid tactics and puzzling substitutions.
Amorim’s frustrations boiled over following a 1-1 draw at Leeds, when he publicly criticised the structure at Old Trafford. That moment effectively sealed his fate. He exits with the lowest win percentage of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era at just 32%, a spell defined more by setbacks than stability.
Below is a ranking of the 10 most damaging moments of Amorim’s tenure.
10. A Derby Reality Check
Ahead of the Manchester derby in September 2025, Amorim dismissed comparisons with Pep Guardiola, admitting United had bigger problems. Those issues were brutally exposed in a 3-0 defeat to City, who had lost their previous two league matches. United managed just two shots on target from 12 attempts and looked defensively vulnerable once again, fuelling criticism of Amorim’s constantly changing back three.
9. Collapse at St James’ Park
With Champions League qualification hinging on the Europa League, league performances deteriorated sharply. The 4-1 loss to Newcastle in April epitomised United’s decline. Even after dropping Andre Onana, the defence unravelled, confirming the club’s lowest-ever Premier League points total. Amorim struggled to explain the repeated errors, pointing only to the grim league position as evidence of failure.
8. FA Cup Exit at Old Trafford
Despite domestic struggles, the FA Cup offered hope after victories over Arsenal and Leicester. That optimism vanished when Fulham knocked United out on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. It marked Amorim’s 10th defeat in just 24 games, a milestone Erik ten Hag had not reached until much later in his own reign. Still, Amorim insisted progress was being made and reiterated his long-term ambition of winning the Premier League.
7. Tactical Confusion at the Gtech
United’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford highlighted growing doubts over Amorim’s system. While missed chances, including a Bruno Fernandes penalty, played a role, pundits focused on tactical disarray. Defensive confusion, particularly involving Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, was widely blamed on a system that did not suit the players.
6. Three Losses, No Goals
A dramatic derby win at the Etihad briefly raised expectations, but it was followed by consecutive defeats to Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle without a single goal scored. United dropped to 14th, their lowest year-end position since 1989. Amorim even admitted relegation was a possibility, calling the situation embarrassing and insisting the club needed a shock.
5. “The Worst” United Side?
Early 2025 brought a stirring draw at Liverpool and a win over Southampton, but the momentum vanished after a 3-1 home loss to Brighton. In a moment of brutal honesty, Amorim suggested his team might be the worst in United’s history, highlighting two wins in 10 league games and acknowledging the pain felt by fans and staff alike.
4. Beaten by 10-Man Everton
After a rare run of three straight league wins, United slipped back into bad habits with draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. The low point came with a 1-0 home defeat to Everton, despite the visitors playing most of the match with 10 men. Amorim bizarrely praised Everton’s fighting spirit and admitted United were still far from the standards required at the club.
3. Stalemate Against Struggling Wolves
A Boxing Day win over Newcastle briefly lifted spirits, but days later United were held at home by bottom-placed Wolves, who arrived on an 11-game losing run. Wolves looked more likely to win before a late United goal was ruled out. Amorim conceded the lack of creativity but remained confident United would become strong once key players returned.
2. Europa League Final Defeat
United’s run to the Europa League final was the highlight of Amorim’s reign, including a remarkable comeback against Lyon. However, the final itself became infamous as “El Crapico,” with United losing to Tottenham despite dominating possession and chances. Spurs scored with their only shot on target, exposing defensive frailties that had haunted Amorim all season. Even then, he insisted he was still the right man for the job.
1. The Grimsby Disaster
The defining moment of Amorim’s tenure came in the Carabao Cup against League Two side Grimsby Town. United were 2-0 down early and needed senior players off the bench just to force penalties, which they eventually lost. Amorim admitted something had to change, criticising the lack of intensity and organisation. Images of him desperately rearranging a tactics board summed up a night — and a reign — that spiralled out of control.
