Manchester United reveal the huge cost of sacking Ruben Amorim

Manchester United might end up paying the sacked Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff a further £15.9m as the cost of his unsuccessful reign has been revealed.

Amorim was dismissed last month with a year-and-a-half remaining on his contract and United, in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, disclosed they could pay the 41-year-old and the five members of his backroom team who left with him almost £16m more.

It is understood that the payout to Amorim could be reduced if he gets a job elsewhere in the meantime, while there are other factors which might mean he does not receive the full amount.

United have also written off £6.3m in their accounts as part of the compensation they paid to bring Amorim from Sporting CP, which cost €11m.

Amorim adds to the sizeable pay-offs United have made under Sir Jim Ratcliffe , with former manager Erik ten Hag and his backroom staff getting £14.5m when they were sacked a few months after the Dutchman signed a new contract and Dan Ashworth’s departure, after only five months as sporting director, costing the club £4.1m.

Amorim took United to their lowest league finish in more than half a century, 15th, and after only winning 24 of his 63 games in charge. United have since won five of their six matches under his successor, Michael Carrick .

United wrote in a filing: “On 5 January 2026, the club announced that Ruben Amorim left his role as men’s first team head coach with immediate effect, along with a number of members of his coaching team.

“A charge of £6.3 million for the write off of related intangible assets and a provision of £15.9 million, representing the maximum potential amount of future settlement payments, will be recognised in the statement of profit or (loss) during the second half of the year ending 30 June 2026.”