CAN UNITED STOP THE MANAGER-GO-ROUND?

Here we go, again.

- Deepanraj Ganesan and David Lee

A new year, but the same Manchester United.The Red Devils are back in an all too familiar place, staring at the aftermath of another failed reset.

On Jan 5, United's official channels posted a 106-word statement.

It bore a different name, but a similar script.

A manager dismissed, a brief note of thanks, best wishes for the future and an announcement that an interim solution - Darren Fletcher - has been put in place.

After 14 months, it was Ruben Amorim's last day at the storied club.

For United fans, it was Groundhog Day.

They have now gone through 10 managers, short-term and permanent, since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

This time, the dismissal did not come as a complete surprise.

Less than 24 hours before, Amorim delivered what will now be remembered as his most startling press conference, where he urged the scouting department and sporting director to "do their jobs".

This latest upheaval has again left United fans and others wondering: Can the Red Devils get out of this rinse-and-repeat hell?

UNCONVINCING RESULTS LEAVE LITTLE CHOICE

Regardless of the press conference drama, most pundits agreed that Amorim's departure was inevitable as they felt he was out of his depth.

After being appointed in November 2024, he could lead United to only a 15th-placed finish in the English Premier League and they lost to fellow league strugglers Tottenham Hotspur (17th that season) in the Europa League final.

In the ongoing season, United suffered a shock and embarrassing elimination in the second round of the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town after a penalty shootout defeat.

The numbers do not lie. With a record of 24 wins, 18 draws and 21 losses in 63 games, the 40-year-old has the lowest win rate of 38.1 per cent of the last six permanent United bosses.

Dutchman Louis van Gaal was the next closest with a 52.4 winning percentage.