Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says Dan Ashworth’s shock exit is “not the best situation” – but believes the club’s vision remains clear and unaffected.

The departure of United’s sporting director was confirmed on Sunday after just 159 days with the club.

Despite a sense that things had not been going smoothly within the club’s hierarchy, the PA news agency understands there was shock from many United staff over the decision.

Amorim spoke to media for the first time since Ashworth’s exit to preview the team’s Europa League game at Viktoria Plzen on Thursday.

“The first thing I want to say is that, since the first day, I felt great support from the ownership,” said Amorim, who took charge on 11 November.

“From Omar [Berrada, chief executive], from Dan also, from Jason (Wilcox, technical director). Dan was part of that, and I really felt support from Dan also.

“But this is football and sometimes these things happens. It happens with players, with coaches.

“I know that it’s not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody and I think this can happen in football.”

Asked if he is concerned whether United are more unstable than when he arrived, Amorim added: “I don’t think so. I’ve felt since day one the support from everybody, so one person leaving doesn’t change nothing.

“Of course, it’s a bad situation, because we are talking about a human being, a professional, that supports us as a team.

“But I think the most important thing is that your vision is really clear and that vision doesn’t change if only one person leaves.”

There have been reports United must sell players before being able to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window.

Asked if that was the case, Amorim said: “No, I’m really focused on [managing] to see my players and to understand my players. I think that is one of the problems of the club.

“We have to focus on what we have. We have to focus on the academy and also have a clear profile when you get the players, so it’s a lot of details you have to manage.

“You can see at set-pieces, sometimes you look at our team and we are a small team compared to others.

“Every detail counts and we have to be very clear first in the profiles, arrange all the process, and then go to that phase of buying and selling players.”

Several players are still getting used to the club having been signed by Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag in the summer, while Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia has just returned from knee surgery to make his first Premier League start since May 2023.

“We have, like Ty, international players, good players, and we need time to teach them our ideas and then we will see because this is a massive club,” added Amorim.

“We have to arrange a lot of things in our club before thinking just in buying or selling players.

“There’s a lot to do, so let’s focus on improving our players, improving our academy and then see.”