Man Utd release potential Ruben Amorim payout details in new file

Manchester United have disclosed the figure they could end up paying for sacking Ruben Amorim last month.

United finally relieved Amorim of his duties a day after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road. The Portuguese had been critical of United's top brass and their running of the club and was dismissed after his 63rd game in charge.

Michael Carrick was brought in to replace Amorim until the of the season and has led United to fourth in the table after six games, three points behind Aston Villa in third.

Following the Europa League final loss to Spurs, Amorim said he would "go the next day without any conversation about compensation" in the event that United's board and fans stopped backing him.

But after being sacked after 14 months, it was reported that Amorim would be entitled to a sizeable compensation fee as he still had around 18 months on his reported £6.5 million-a-year contract.

Amorim was sacked by United in January. Image: Getty

And in a release to the New York Stock Exchange, United confirmed the decision to give Amorim the boot could cost nearly £16 million.

As per Simon Stone from the BBC, the club said that a fee of £6.3 million relating to securing Amorim's services from Sporting had been written off and there was a provisional charge of £15.9 million to represent "the maximum potential amount of future settlement payments".

In a statement, United said: "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."

Amorim linked with return to management amid compensation bombshell

United paid Sporting around £11 million to buy out Amorim's contract and bring in him as a replacement for Erik ten Hag, whose dismissal is believed to have cost around £10.4m.

Therefore, hiring and firing Amorim after just over a year may well total a cost of £37 million and go down as United's biggest ever compensation payment following a sacking

The triggering of the highest payment is said to be linked to future employment, with Amorim tipped for a number of different vacancies.

Amorim has not commented on his sacking from Man United. Image: Getty

The 41-year-old has been touted as a replacement for Jose Mourinho at Benfica at the end of the season by some quarters, while more recently it's been reported that he is one of the names in contention for the vacant job at Brazilian side Vasco da Gama.

Vasco sacked former Brazil coach Fernando Diniz on Sunday following a 1-0 loss to Fluminense and Amorim is a leading candidate alongside compatriot Artur Jorge, currently in charge of Al Rayyan in Qatar.