Manchester United have confirmed the departure of manager Ruben Amorim, with the club moving swiftly to stabilise the season by appointing an interim figure while planning carefully for the future.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge of Wednesday’s Premier League fixture against Burnley. The Scot will remain in place until a caretaker manager is appointed to oversee the remainder of the campaign, as the club works towards naming a permanent successor in the summer.

Amorim’s exit comes less than 24 hours after a 1-1 draw with Leeds, a match followed by candid comments from the Portuguese coach about his role and future at Old Trafford. On Friday, Amorim had already hinted at a strained relationship with club officials, suggesting he did not feel fully backed in the transfer market. After Sunday’s game, he reiterated his desire to work as a manager “not the coach” and indicated he was prepared to leave once his contract expired in 18 months’ time.

United announced on Monday that Amorim had “departed his role as head coach of Manchester United” after 14 months in charge. In a statement, the club acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a step aimed at maximising the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season.

“With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change,” the statement said. “This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution and wishes him well for the future.”

Amorim’s coaching staff have also left the club, clearing the way for a reset as United look to restore momentum. The appointment of Fletcher for the immediate fixture provides continuity and familiarity, with the former midfielder widely respected within the club’s structure.

The development contrasts with comments made in October by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who said on The Business podcast that Amorim would be given three years to demonstrate his qualities and that patience was required. However, recent performances and internal tensions appear to have accelerated the timetable for change.

Ratcliffe is expected to address the situation at a news conference on Tuesday, ahead of United’s trip to Turf Moor the following day. Supporters will be looking for clarity on the club’s short-term direction and the criteria that will guide the search for a permanent manager.

Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has once again announced his return to professional boxing, confirming that he will step back into the ring in 2026 and bringing his latest period of retirement to an end.

The 37-year-old Briton last competed in December 2024, when he suffered a second defeat to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in their highly anticipated rematch. One month later, Fury confirmed he was retiring, a decision that sparked widespread debate given his long-standing pattern of leaving and returning to the sport.

In recent weeks, signs of a comeback had become increasingly difficult to ignore. Fury shared training footage from Thailand, where he was seen working alongside South African heavyweight Kevin Lerena, reigniting speculation that his competitive instincts had resurfaced.

That speculation was confirmed on Sunday when Fury posted a message on Instagram announcing his intentions. “2026 is that year. Return of the Mac,” he wrote. “Been away for a while but I’m back now. 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it.” The statement reflected the confidence and self-belief that have defined much of Fury’s career.

While Fury’s announcement has generated excitement, it has also been met with a sense of familiarity. His most recent retirement was greeted with scepticism in boxing circles, given his history of reversals. He previously stepped away from the sport after stopping Dillian Whyte in front of a packed Wembley Stadium in April 2022, only to return six months later for further high-profile bouts.

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has consistently maintained that Fury would fight again, expressing confidence that the former champion still has the desire to compete at the highest level. Attention has also focused on Saudi Arabia, where powerbroker Turki Alalshikh had reportedly been planning a blockbuster route to a long-awaited showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Under those plans, Fury and Joshua were expected to take separate bouts in the Kingdom in early 2026 before finally facing each other later in the year. Joshua further fuelled anticipation in December after defeating Jake Paul and stating publicly that he was ready to meet Fury in the ring.

Those prospective plans have since been clouded by uncertainty following Joshua’s involvement in a car crash in Nigeria, an incident that tragically claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Despite this setback, Fury’s announcement ensures that the heavyweight division remains vibrant and full of possibility.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom after being involved in a fatal road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, as both families and authorities take steps toward remembrance and accountability.

The 36-year-old boxer was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos on Monday. The crash resulted in the deaths of Joshua’s close friends and long-time team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, a loss that has sent shockwaves through Joshua’s inner circle and the wider boxing community.

Following the accident, Joshua was taken to hospital for treatment and observation. He was discharged on Wednesday after doctors confirmed his condition was stable, allowing him to begin the journey back to the UK to be with family, friends and supporters during a difficult period.

Funeral arrangements for Ghami and Ayodele have now been confirmed, with services set to take place on Sunday at a mosque in London. Friends, relatives and members of the sporting community are expected to attend, offering an opportunity to honour the lives and contributions of the two men, who were widely regarded as central figures in Joshua’s professional and personal life.

In Nigeria, legal proceedings connected to the crash are underway. The driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared before the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Kayode was granted bail in the sum of five million naira (£2,578) and has been remanded pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions. The case has been adjourned until 20 January, giving investigators additional time to complete inquiries and ensuring the judicial process continues in an orderly manner.