The quiet legacies Ruben Amorim left behind at MU

Ruben Amorim departed Man Utd quietly, without trophies or glory. Yet after a brief 14 months, he left behind legacies that Old Trafford will find hard to deny.

Ruben Amorim was officially dismissed by Manchester United following a highly controversial press conference. For many, this was the right decision by the INEOS leadership after over a year of disappointment with a heavily invested squad that underperformed.

However, quite a few fans still believe in the long-term vision of the 40-year-old strategist – that he was laying a solid foundation rather than building a fragile sandcastle. Below are 8 achievements Amorim made at MU – subtle but undeniable marks.

Turning Harry Maguire from “villain” to hero

Under Erik ten Hag, Maguire almost lost his career. At 30, few thought the English defender could regain his form. But with Amorim’s 3-center-back system, Maguire thrived, performing at his best since leaving Leicester City.

Giving MU a clear identity

Though not everyone liked it, the truth is before Amorim arrived, MU lacked a defined playing style. His 3-4-3 formation with attacking wingbacks and high pressing gave MU a distinct identity. Though players needed time to adapt, the team began stabilizing before his dismissal.

The discovery of Amad Diallo as a wingback

Erik ten Hag once thought Amad Diallo lacked the stamina for the Premier League and nearly sidelined him. Amorim, however, trusted the Ivorian midfielder and made him a starter.

The result? Alongside Bruno Fernandes, Amad became one of the two standout players of the 2024/25 season.

Convincing Bruno Fernandes to stay

In summer 2024, Bruno nearly moved to Saudi Arabia after receiving an attractive offer. INEOS was reportedly ready to sell him. But Amorim intervened, persuading Bruno to remain by promising a serious football project, successfully keeping the MU captain.

Calming the “player power”

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s era, almost every MU coach struggled with the dressing room. David Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, and Ten Hag all faced player dissent. But with Amorim, things were different.

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho clashed with him early on but were quickly sidelined. Amorim controlled the locker room well and maintained respect from most players.

Amorim is the only coach dismissed purely for professional reasons rather than broken relationships with players.

Effective injury management

Under Ten Hag, MU’s injury list was always one of the longest in the league. With Amorim, it was rare to have more than three injuries simultaneously. While partly due to luck, his training methods and player usage were commendable. He never forced players to return early, even during absences for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Reviving Casemiro

Casemiro was once considered past his prime, slow, prone to fouls, and frequently sent off. Amorim didn’t hesitate to drop the four-time Champions League winner, even giving young Toby Collyer a start.

However, he also encouraged Casemiro and adjusted his role to better suit his current fitness. The result was a reborn Casemiro, playing steadily and even recalled to Brazil’s national team as captain.

Leading Man Utd into European competition spots despite a thin squad

Although the 2025/26 season was seen as disappointing, MU was sixth in the Premier League when Amorim was dismissed. INEOS brought in only three strikers during the summer transfer window, yet Amorim helped the Red Devils become the third highest-scoring team in the league.

Defense remained a major issue – notably, he received no reinforcements in midfield or defense. With just four new signings (Cunha, Mbeumo, Lammens, and Sesko) and nine first-team players leaving (including Onana, Eriksen, Sancho, Rashford, Hojlund, Antony...), lifting the team to sixth and still competing for a Champions League spot was a commendable effort.