Gary Neville Tipped to Replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United Manager
Despite Manchester United’s leadership, including minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, showing patience with Ruben Amorim by offering him up to three more years to turn things around at Old Trafford, speculation continues to swirl about potential successors. Among the names being linked to the job, former United defender and current pundit Gary Neville has surprisingly emerged as a possible replacement.
When Amorim arrived from Sporting CP in November 2024, hopes were high that he could bring a fresh tactical identity to the club after his success in Portugal — including a famous victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League. However, the Portuguese manager’s reign has been disappointing so far. United endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign, losing the Europa League final and finishing a dismal 15th in the Premier League.
According to GiveMeSport statistics, Amorim has managed just 20 wins in 50 matches, giving him a 40% win rate — far below expectations. His new signings over the summer — Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens, and Benjamin Sesko — were meant to rejuvenate the squad, but the team’s performances have remained largely inconsistent. A humiliating League Cup exit to fourth-tier side Grimsby Town in August only worsened the pressure.
Currently, United sit 10th in the Premier League table, with only three victories from their opening seven matches, including a surprise 2-1 win over Chelsea. After the international break, Amorim’s side will travel to Anfield for a daunting clash against Arne Slot’s high-flying Liverpool.
In recent weeks, various potential replacements have been floated — including Xavi Hernández, Oliver Glasner, and Andoni Iraola. Yet it was former Manchester City striker Álvaro Negredo who publicly endorsed Gary Neville for the role. Negredo, who played under Neville at Valencia, described his former manager as “a capable and knowledgeable coach” who could bring much-needed stability to Manchester United.
Though Neville’s only managerial experience came during a short and turbulent stint at Valencia between December 2015 and March 2016, where he won 10 of his 28 games, Negredo believes he deserves another chance — this time in familiar Premier League surroundings.
Speaking to Coin Poker, Negredo explained:
“Gary was a very important player for Manchester United and for English football. Just like Valencia at that time, United are not at their best right now — maybe not the perfect time — but sometimes change comes when the team needs a spark. I liked working with him as a coach.”
Since leaving Valencia nearly a decade ago, Neville has shifted his focus to punditry with Sky Sports and co-ownership of Salford City alongside David Beckham and other members of United’s Class of ’92. Even so, Negredo believes the 50-year-old could still make a successful return to the dugout:
“It surprises me he hasn’t coached again, because I always saw him as qualified and determined. Maybe the language barrier held him back in Spain, but in the Premier League, I think he’d do well.”
Negredo, who contributed 12 goal involvements under Neville at Valencia, described him as a “motivated and well-prepared” coach who deeply understands the game from a player’s perspective. Whether Manchester United’s hierarchy would seriously consider Neville for the role remains to be seen — but his name being mentioned highlights just how uncertain Amorim’s future at Old Trafford has become.
