Bruno Fernandes’ cosy catch up with Ruben Amorim’s No 2: Axed boss’ ‘key ally’ spotted meeting assistant as it’s revealed that his injury exacerbated rift between head coach and Man Utd stars

Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Amorim‘s Assistant Manager at Man United enjoyed a coffee together late on Tuesday just a day after the Portuguese boss’s sacking. 

Amorim was axed early on Monday less than 24 hours after blasting the hierarchy at Old Trafford in an explosive rant at Elland Road following his side’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United. 

Daily Mail Sport understands he raised eyebrows on his Carrington exit as he strolled out of the training complex laughing and joking with his coaching team.

There had been radio silence from Amorim’s camp since news of his departure broke, despite the former Sporting Lisbon boss offering a smile and a wave to photographers while on a jubilant stroll around Cheshire on the day of his dismissal.

But now Carlos Fernandes, Amorim’s second-in-command, has been snapped leaving a coffee shop along with Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes.

The pair, both from Portugal, were spotted leaving a cafe late on Tuesday, with the United captain attempting to hide from the cameras with his grey Nike hoodie pulled up over his head.

Fernandes appeared to try and hide from cameras with his grey Nike hoodie pulled over his head

It comes after Fernandes, who also directed United’s set-pieces, became the first person from Amorim’s camp to react to his sacking, taking to Instagram to share a heartfelt goodbye to those at Carrington on Wednesday. 

He wrote in a caption: ‘Thank you, Manchester United. Thank you to the world-class players I had the privilege to coach and to learn from. Thank you to the staff members who showed true support. Thank you to the fans who stood by us. 

‘In the end, working at a football club of this dimension doesn’t just test your knowledge – it reveals character. A special chapter in my life. Proud to have served as Assistant Manager of Manchester United.’

Amorim had been without his captain and ‘key ally’ Bruno Fernandes in the final weeks of his Old Trafford reign, after the 31-year-old suffered a hamstring injury at Aston Villa before Christmas. 

It’s thought the blow exacerbated the situation at Carrington, with Fernandes understood to have been a key conduit between Amorim and the rest of the United squad, something which was lost in his absence. 

The Portuguese manager’s frustration was palpable during his final days in charge, particularly during his bizarre post-match outburst at Leeds in which he insisted that he signed to become the club’s manager, not head coach.

He was axed less than a day later, though Daily Mail Sport understands Jason Wilcox made the decision to sack him as early as Friday.

The hierarchy at Old Trafford have wasted little time beginning their search for Amorim’s interim successor, with Darren Fletcher taking over the team in the meantime. 

Fernandes took to Instagram to post a heartfelt goodbye to United on Tuesday

Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are understood to be the two leading candidates for the role until the end of the campaign

The former United midfielder will take charge this evening against Burnley at Turf Moor while director of football Jason Wilcox deliberates over what this publication understands is a two-horse race between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick for the role until the end of the season. 

Figures at United are believed to have spoken to both candidates already, but are waiting to meet the two United legends in person before making a final decision. 

Solskjaer, sacked by Besiktas earlier this season, emerged as a leading contender for the role on Tuesday as he bids to make an emotional return to the club more than four years after his first stint as manager ended. 

Ironically, Carrick stepped in as caretaker for three games when Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021. 

Carrick is available after he was sacked from his first managerial job at Middlesbrough in June. United are thought to be giving the 44-year-old former England midfielder serious consideration. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over on an interim basis last season when Erik ten Hag was dismissed, was initially under consideration but is now out of the running. 

Fletcher will nevertheless also be staking a claim for a more permanent managerial gig, with his first test coming this evening before an FA Cup clash with Brighton on the weekend, a fixture for which he is likely to still be in situ.  

The 41-year-old Scot admitted that taking charge of United is ‘beyond his wildest dreams’, but said he will leave any talks over his long-term future with Wilcox until after the game.

‘I’ve had a conversation and the focus was on this game,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a game to prepare for, a training session to organise, and I’ve been speaking to the players. The focus has been on the Burnley match and we’ll speak after the game.’

Fletcher will be assisted by Under-21s coaches Travis Binnion and Alan Wright, as well as Jonny Evans who has returned to the club after leaving his post as loan manager in December.

Both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are expected to return to the first-team squad against Burnley after recovering from their respective injuries.