Ratcliffe storm, mocking legends & Amorim drama: Four reasons why Man United are their own worst enemies

Manchester United have endured a typically chaotic start to 2026, a period that has once again exposed the instability simmering beneath the surface at Old Trafford.

The club parted ways with Ruben Amorim just weeks after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly insisted the Portuguese coach would be granted three years to implement his vision.

Few clubs in world football operate under the same microscope as United but much of the scrutiny is self-inflicted.

Here are four reasons why the Red Devils have once again proven to be their own worst enemy in the opening weeks of the year.

No back-up plan from INEOS

Elite institutions prepare for every scenario: Plan A, Plan B and even Plan C.

A club of United stature should have thought about adverse scenarios, especially after the inconsistent results under Amorim.

INEOS dismissed the manager without a clear contingency plan in place.

Darren Fletcher was hastily thrust into temporary charge of the first-team for two matches before the club turned to Michael Carrick to steady the ship.

Chelsea moved on from Enzo Maresca, and they acted decisively. They swiftly appointed Liam Rosenior from their sister club Strasbourg.

This is a clear demonstration of strategic planning and operational readiness.

The explosive fallout with Amorim

Amorim was not sacked solely for results. If results alone were decisive, the hierarchy could have acted after the heavy defeat to Manchester City, the humbling loss to Everton, or the frustrating draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Instead, the decision to terminate his contract was made after his explosive press conference where he targeted senior members of the board, including Jason Wilcox.

Neither Wilcox nor Omar Berrada publicly addressed the controversy, leaving Fletcher to field uncomfortable questions from the media.

The optics suggested that wounded egos may have accelerated the decision, with poor results serving as convenient justification rather than the sole cause.

Legends mocking players and coaches

Former United heroes have not always helped matters. These icons have amplified the noise surrounding an already fragile dressing room.

Roy Keane openly fired shots at Michael Carrick when he took the interim job. He also targeted Jonny Evans, questioning his credentials after he was given a coaching role under Carrick.

His tone has often bordered on bitterness, with criticism frequently directed at current players.

In a recent podcast appearance, Keane urged patience for Liam Delap due to his age, yet criticised Benjamin Sesko despite the striker producing a superb finish against West Ham. Keane forgot that Delap is older than Sesko.

Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt made controversial remarks about Lisandro Martinez’s height. He responded by keeping Erling Haaland in his pocket.

Irresponsible Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Just as Carrick appeared to be restoring a sense of calm, Sir Jim Ratcliffe reignited turbulence with controversial political remarks earlier this week.

He claimed that the United Kingdom was being “colonised” by immigrants, drawing criticism from several fan groups and even the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Although Ratcliffe issued an apology within 24 hours, the controversy had already dominated headlines and shifted focus away from football.

Carrick now faces the unenviable task of addressing the media amid questions that have little to do with tactics or team selection.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .