As Manchester United stumbles through a torrid run of form under beleaguered boss Ruben Amorim, the inevitable whispers about a managerial change are growing into a deafening roar. In a stunning twist that has captured the attention of the global football world, the latest reports suggest a truly monumental figure is not just monitoring the situation, but is actively interested in the Old Trafford hot seat: none other than former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.
This is more than just typical transfer rumour mill fodder; it’s a high-stakes scenario involving one of the game’s greatest midfielders and a club desperate to reclaim its former glory. According to highly-respected transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Xavi is “studying the Premier League” and would join Man Utd immediately, even without the lure of European football. For a club where the position of manager has become a revolving door, this level of explicit interest from a coach of Xavi’s pedigree is a game-changer.
Why the Man Utd Manager Job is Available
Poor Results Under Amorim: Current manager Ruben Amorim has struggled to deliver consistent results since arriving in November 2024. The team has failed to string together consecutive Premier League wins.
Tactical Frustration: Amorim’s insistence on the 3-4-3 formation is widely criticised by pundits and fans, leading to a perceived lack of control in midfield and predictable play.
Mounting Pressure: Recent defeats, such as the 3-1 loss to Brentford, have intensified the scrutiny. A club the size of Manchester United cannot afford to stay in the middle of the table.
The INEOS Factor: The new ownership, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is reportedly assessing the project daily and demands a higher standard of performance and a clearer tactical identity.
Xavi’s Strong Interest in the Old Trafford
Immediate Availability: According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Xavi is “studying the Premier League” and would join Man Utd immediately if the opportunity arose.
Willing to Forgo Europe: Crucially, he is reportedly willing to take the job even if Manchester United fails to qualify for European football next season. This shows his strong desire for the role.
Seeking a New Project: After leaving Barcelona in June 2024, the former Barcelona manager Xavi is looking for a stable, long-term project to implement his preferred possession-based, attacking style of management.
Premier League Ambition: Xavi has publicly expressed his admiration for the Premier League and sees managing in England as the next major step in his career.
Xavi Hernandez: The Ideal Solution’s Managerial Philosophy
The appeal of Xavi lies in the promise of a radical, yet historically successful, shift in playing style—one that aligns with the attacking, dominant traditions of Manchester United.
Possession and Control: Xavi’s philosophy is deeply rooted in the Cruyffian school of thought, where possession is key to control. His teams prioritise short, precise passing, known for circulating the ball with purpose to wear down opponents.
4-3-3 & Adaptability: While synonymous with the 4-3-3, Xavi’s structure is often fluid, adapting to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, especially out of possession. His system emphasises using wide players to stretch the opponent’s defence and creating overloads in central areas.
High Pressing (Gegenpressing): A significant component of his style is aggressive, coordinated high-pressing and counter-pressing to win the ball back immediately after losing it. This intensity is something the current Man Utd side desperately lacks.
Development of Youth: At Barcelona, Xavi demonstrated a willingness to integrate and trust academy talents like Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and Alejandro Balde. This aligns perfectly with the Old Trafford tradition and the INEOS focus on building a sustainable project.
A Clear Mandate: Xavi has stated he wants a “good project” with a four-year window to work and develop. His willingness to join Man Utd immediately—even without European football—underscores his conviction in his ability to rebuild the team.
The Failures of the Amorim Era (The ‘Why’ for Sacking)
The Portuguese manager’s tenure, approaching one year, has produced results and performances that are unacceptable for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
Historically Poor Results:
Win Percentage Crisis: Amorim’s league win percentage (approx. 27.3%) is the worst of any post-war Man Utd manager. Since his arrival in November 2024, the team has won only 9 of 33 Premier League matches.
Inability to Build Momentum: He has failed to secure back-to-back league victories in his entire tenure—a staggering statistic that highlights an ingrained inconsistency and mental fragility.
Worst Start to a Season: The 2025/26 campaign has seen the club collect a mere seven points from six matches, their worst league start since 1992/93.
Cup Humiliation: The club was dumped out of the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) at the second-round stage by League Two side Grimsby Town.
Tactical and Player Mismatch:
Rigid System: Amorim’s insistence on the 3-4-3 formation has proven disastrous, leaving the midfield constantly exposed and allowing opponents to create overloads in central areas.
Lack of Control: The manager has frequently lamented the team’s lack of “control,” yet his tactical setup prevents it, forcing players like Bruno Fernandes into deep, unfamiliar roles, hindering the team’s creative flow.
High-Profile Player Alienation: Reports suggest Amorim’s system and decisions led to the departure of key attacking talents (e.g., Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho), indicating a failure to adapt to the squad’s strengths.
Financial and Investment Justification:
Expensive Summer Spending: INEOS backed the manager significantly in the 2025 summer window, spending over £200 million on new signings (e.g., Cunha, Mbeumo, Šeško). The lack of improvement despite this investment makes the results even more indefensible.
Compensation is a Lesser Evil: The reported compensation to sack Amorim is around £12 million—a significant sum, but considered a necessary, relatively low cost if a managerial change ensures a return to European football and protects the long-term project’s value.
The Rationale for Appointing Xavi (The ‘Who’ and ‘Why Not Wait’)
Xavi Hernandez presents a unique, high-calibre, and readily available solution who offers the clear tactical and philosophical vision INEOS craves.
Confirmed Desire and Immediate Availability:
Romano’s Guarantee: Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Xavi is “studying the Premier League” and would take the Man Utd job immediately if offered.
Commitment to the Project: Crucially, Xavi is willing to join even without European football next season, demonstrating a genuine belief in the club’s potential and a commitment to a multi-year rebuild.
Deadlines Loom: Xavi is being actively pursued by other clubs, notably Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. Delaying the decision to act risks losing the top managerial target.
Philosophical Alignment and Tactical Fit:
The Cruyffian Identity: Xavi’s dedication to high-possession, positional play (Juego de Posición), and intense counter-pressing aligns with the attacking, dominant style that Man Utd fans and ownership want to see restored.
Development Pathway: Xavi has a proven record of successfully promoting and integrating academy players (e.g., Gavi, Yamal at Barcelona). This directly supports the new INEOS strategy of building a sustainable, long-term talent pipeline.
Clear Formation Preference: Unlike Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3, Xavi’s preference for the 4-3-3 (or a 4-2-3-1 variant) is a structure that is more common and arguably better suited to the current Premier League environment and the strengths of players like Lisandro Martínez, who would thrive in a possession-focused backline.
A Statement of Intent for INEOS:
Appointing a manager of Xavi’s global stature, a title-winner who worked at the highest level despite financial constraints at Barcelona, would be a clear, decisive action by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime. It would signal an immediate commitment to a specific, world-class philosophy, ending the cycle of short-term, directionless managerial appointments.
The Undeniable Failures of Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim was appointed in November 2024 to herald a new era, but his nearly one-year tenure has been characterized by historic underperformance, tactical rigidity, and a worrying lack of progression despite heavy investment.
Historically Dire Results and Consistency
| Performance Metric | Amorim’s Record (as of late Sept 2025) | Significance |
| League Win Percentage | 27.3% (9 wins in 33 PL games) | Worst of any post-war Manchester United manager. |
| Consecutive Wins | Zero | Has failed to record back-to-back Premier League victories in his entire tenure. |
| 2025/26 League Start | 7 points from 6 matches (14th place) | Worst league start since the 1992/93 season. |
| Cup Exit | Knocked out of the EFL Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town. | Unacceptable humiliation for a club of this size. |
Crippling Tactical Rigidity
Amorim’s unwavering commitment to the 3-4-3 (or 5-2-3) formation is the root cause of the team’s issues.
Exposed Midfield: The system, which often operates with only a two-man central midfield pivot, creates a consistent and easily exploitable numerical overload for the opposition in the heart of the pitch.
Stagnant Build-Up: The reliance on the central centre-back (e.g., Matthijs de Ligt) to step into midfield during the build-up phase has proven predictable and easy to press, leading to a breakdown in central progression and forcing predictable long passes.
Failure to Use Star Assets: Key players are being shoehorned into roles that do not suit their strengths, with the team looking defensively open and offensively disconnected.
Investment vs. Output Discrepancy
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS provided significant financial backing in the summer of 2025.
£200M+ Summer Spend: The club invested heavily in attacking talent (e.g., Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško).
Zero Midfield/Defence Reinforcements: Despite the obvious tactical issues stemming from the midfield, no major signings were made in that area, suggesting a lack of cohesion between the manager’s needs and the sporting structure’s execution. The severe decline in results despite this outlay proves the coaching is the primary failing.
The Immediate, High-Quality Solution: Xavi Hernández
The decision to change managers must be accompanied by a clear strategic move, and former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernández presents a unique and compelling opportunity.
The Xavi Proposition
| Factor | Xavi’s Advantage | Strategic Benefit for Man Utd |
| Availability & Desire | Reportedly “studying the Premier League” and ready to take the job immediately, even without European football this season. | Ends the current turmoil instantly and demonstrates a genuine commitment to a long-term rebuild. |
| Football Philosophy | Architect of the Tiki-Taka/Juego de Posición model, focusing on high-possession, control, and intense counter-pressing. | Provides the precise identity, structure, and tactical blueprint the club has lacked for a decade. |
| Talent Development | Proven record of integrating and trusting academy players (e.g., Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Balde) during his time at Barcelona. | Aligns perfectly with INEOS’ long-term strategy of prioritizing and maximizing the output of the famed Man Utd academy. |
| Tactical Preference | Favours the 4-3-3 formation, a system which is widely considered better suited to the current squad’s strengths and the demands of the modern Premier League. | Immediately fixes the fundamental structural problems of the 3-4-3, creating a more balanced and controlling midfield. |
The Financial Reality Check
The reported cost of sacking Amorim within his first year is around £12 Million. While a further payout adds to the club’s long-term financial burden from failed managers, the cost of inaction is far greater.
Missing European Football: Failure to qualify for Europe would result in a loss of tens of millions in TV revenue, prize money, and reduced sponsorship income—a figure that dwarfs the compensation fee.
Devaluing the Squad: Continued defeats and chaos devalue the multi-million pound assets in the playing squad, making the rebuild more expensive.
Manchester United Managerial Crisis: Amorim & Xavi FAQs
The Current Situation (Ruben Amorim)
- Why is Ruben Amorim under so much pressure at Manchester United?
He is under intense pressure due to a historically poor run of results and a perceived lack of tactical identity. The team has failed to string together consecutive Premier League wins and has recorded the worst league start since the 1992/93 season.
- What is Amorim’s Premier League win percentage?
His Premier League win percentage, since arriving in November 2024, is approximately 27.3% (9 wins in 33 games), which is the worst of any post-war Manchester United manager.
- Has he won back-to-back Premier League games?
No, a staggering statistic is his failure to record consecutive Premier League victories at any point during his entire tenure.
- What is the main criticism of his tactical system?
The main criticism is his rigid insistence on the 3-4-3 formation, which leaves the central two-man midfield pivot constantly exposed and easily overrun by opponents, leading to a lack of control.
- How much did the club spend on new players this past summer?
INEOS backed Amorim heavily in the summer of 2025, spending over £200 million on new signings, mainly attacking players like Cunha and Mbeumo.
- Did the spending lead to an improvement in results?
No. Despite the heavy investment, the team’s start to the 2025/26 season has been abysmal, with only 7 points from 6 matches, sinking the club into the bottom half of the table (14th place).
- Did the club have any embarrassing cup exits this season?
Yes, the team was eliminated from the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) in the second round by League Two side Grimsby Town, which was considered an unacceptable humiliation.
- What is Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s current official stance on Amorim?
Officially, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS hierarchy are “refusing to panic” and maintain public support, suggesting Amorim should be judged after a “full season.”
The Xavi Hernández Factor
- Is Xavi Hernández actually interested in the Manchester United job?
Yes. Highly-respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Xavi is “studying the Premier League” and is actively interested in the Old Trafford role.
- Would Xavi join United even without European football?
Crucially, yes. Xavi is reportedly willing to take the job immediately, even if the team fails to qualify for European competition next season, showing genuine commitment to the rebuild.
- What is Xavi’s preferred style of play (managerial philosophy)?
His philosophy is based on the “Juego de Posición” (Positional Play) model, emphasizing high-possession, absolute midfield control, short, precise passing, and intense counter-pressing to win the ball back instantly.
- What formation would Xavi likely implement?
He is synonymous with the 4-3-3 formation, which is widely seen as a better fit for the current squad’s personnel and provides a more balanced and controlling midfield.
- Does Xavi align with United’s tradition of promoting youth?
Yes. He has a proven track record of promoting and trusting academy talent, having integrated players like Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and Alejandro Balde into the first team at Barcelona, aligning perfectly with the Old Trafford tradition.
- Why is Xavi viewed as a better option than Amorim right now?
Xavi offers a clear, proven, attacking, and adaptable tactical blueprint that addresses the structural chaos under Amorim. He is also a statement appointment who brings a winning pedigree.
Financial and Succession Details
- What is the financial cost to sack Ruben Amorim?
The reported compensation package to sack Amorim within the first year of his contract is approximately £12 million.
- What does the £12 million severance cost translate to in Indian Rupees (INR)?
Based on a representative exchange rate of roughly 1 GBP 119 INR (as of late Sept 2025), the compensation is approximately ₹142.8 Crores (₹142,80,00,000).
- Why might the board view this cost as acceptable?
The board views this as a necessary, lower cost compared to the financial damage of inaction, as missing out on European football would result in a loss of tens of millions of pounds in revenue and sponsorship clauses.
- Who are the other main candidates being considered if Amorim is sacked?
Other leading candidates linked to the role include Gareth Southgate (England), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), and Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth).
- What is the immediate deadline for the club’s decision?
The next critical juncture is the international break following the upcoming match against Sunderland. Another poor result could force Ratcliffe to act before the break to secure a replacement like Xavi.
- What is the main risk in waiting to sack Amorim?
The main risk is losing Xavi to another club (such as Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, who are reportedly interested) by delaying the decision to act.