Ruben Amorim spoke to the media ahead of that HUGE Europa League final in Bilbao against Spurs next week. Not exactly sure why this was done a week before but here it is all the same.
He spoke about many things not least the importance of playing Champions League football which is key in preparing for the next season. He also wants to win this trophy not just because of that but also because he wants to give something back to the fans for this awful campaign they've witnessed.
Amorim admits that he doesn't know whether injured defenders such as Leny Yoro and Matthijs De Ligt will be available for the final but they will try to push for next week's game. They WON'T be available for Chelsea on Friday but there is a chance for the match in Bilbao.
The United boss says that it's difficult for the club to know when to give and when to take when it comes to removal of staff over the course of the season. Once Amorim was informed that members of staff won't be given complimentary tickets for the final, that is where he stepped in and decided to make that call to help them and their families get to Bilbao.
He adds that it wasn't only him that had this thought when they were told of the situation: "the players had the same reaction." And while that was a great gesture, he does say that "it's hard to manage things in our club."
The Portuguese says that due to staff and style changes in the middle of the season, it has made things tough for the club to succeed as they would've liked but acknowledges that while there is difficulty, when it comes to preparing for the Europa League, "the environment is a little bit different. You can feel the excitement."
Amorim says he knows exactly what to do as "I understand the problems of the team" and that when it comes to him potentially walking away from the job, "I'm far from quitting."
However, he knows that performances need to improve drastically otherwise the club may look to replace him and his staff.
The United boss says that it's more important for a club like Man Utd to be in the Champions League and it can help them prepare for the next season and that the Europa League at such a club "is not enough."
He believes that the best way for United to get back to the top is to be in the Champions League, not necessarily winning a trophy.
United have through the Europa League, faced solely European opposition. The first time they come up against an English side will be the final. Amorim says that it will be a different game to what we've seen from his team before because it's a Premier League opposition yet as it is a final, it is will be different as well.
"In the final, this team can step up."
"We need more time with the team" was the manager's answer when asked whether it's better to not play in Europe at all next season. Amorim also explains that this season has shown that a bigger squad is needed in order for the team to compete in Europe and domestically.
He adds that while there maybe benefits to not playing it Europe next season, it will be "really bad" if United don't win the trophy next week. The 40 year old mentions how the patience of fans and media alike will get to a point where United will need to be almost perfect in the league next season otherwise they will be facing constant scrutiny.
He believes that the pressure next season will increase if they don't win the Europa League that he but isn't concerned about that.
"I don't want to use that as an excuse."
The connection with fans is really important says Amorim especially at a club like United. He doesn't really know what to say to them because of the constant support they've shown despite the terrible campaign.
He talks about how having that proper connection with the fans can be a "game changer" but the only way to have them on your side is to win titles.
Final Thoughts
Not the best team news we wanted to hear ahead of such an important game. Even if these injuries to Yoro and De Ligt in particular aren't serious, as it is so close to the final, it is probably enough to keep them out.
Amorim also mentioned how Dalot is pushing to be ready but that the manager doesn't want to force him back too soon and risk another injury. To potentially not have Yoro, Dalot and De Ligt is a BIG blow and makes me more worried about that match.
Dalot has been someone to rely on for most games and he give his best even if he hasn't been that great this season, Yoro has been one of our best players in recent times and I believe De Ligt is up there for player of the season. That would mean that four (including Martinez) of our best defense will be missing for such a massive game.
I think Amorim made a mistake by playing Yoro on Sunday. I don't think that that was necessary.
I'm not going to go into much detail about the manager paying for the staff's tickets for the game as I've said all I needed to regarding this here.
But it is still so embarrassing for the club that the manager is doing something they should be doing.
It was always going to be difficult to come in mid-season with new staff and a new style, then sacking staff and having all these changes and then expect to see brilliant football and wins on the pitch.
Amorim was dealt as difficult a hand as any manager could've been dealt and it's not as if he came into a club that was doing well before he arrived. We also know that these players are useless and for him to work miracles with them was always going to be mission impossible.
I feel that the manager has done as well as he can which is something that Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitted as well but it's now about Sir Jim and the board backing him in order to make him successful. There's no point in saying all the necessary things and not giving him what he wants. And as Amorim said, a big summer is needed otherwise they may as well bring in another manager.
Maybe it is like he said last Sunday that with the Europa League, there is no second chances: you lose, you go out, which is what perhaps gets the players that bit more uplifted and on their toes for this competition compared to the league. It isn't correct but it could be the reason as to why we've seen two completely different Uniteds in the EL and PL.
I don't think any manager would walk away from a club like United. I think, much like the players, there is an ego about the coaches, an ego that is big enough for them to believe that they can turn things around regardless of how bad the situation is.
Amorim is no different. But where he is different to previous United managers is that there is more of a clear identity which is why I agree with him when he says he knows what to do. Other managers made it hard for us to see a proper style or a style that wasn't really what we wanted. Amorim's 3-4-3 has been something new as we've never seen it before at United and yet despite this, when the players get it right, the football looks good.
The problem lies in consistency as these players perform relatively well once in a while which is why we're in the position we're in. Get him better players and I believe we will see a better United.
Winning the Europa League is the only way for us to get into the Champions League, at least for this season. I think what he means is that it would probably be better if we qualified for the CL through the league instead as you have to be more consistent in it compared to a cup competition where anyone can beat anyone on their day.
Being more consistent in the league means that we are a much better side which is what we can see with some of the teams in the league. Newcastle for example, are miles better than us yet we are in a European final and they're not. I think we'd all rather have what the Magpies have than win the Europa League.
This club does belong in Europe's elite club competition. We shouldn't be playing in the Europa League (ever) as that is not the standard of this football club. We've all allowed those standards to drop thanks to the poor way it has been run. These owners (the Glazers) never really cared about what happened on the pitch as long as they were making their money.
This is why we've seen mediocrity for so long and us fans have become more accepting of things as we understand the context of particular seasons, like this one. Winning the Europa League will be great but the fact that we're in it at all is the point.
I like this question of facing English opposition in Europe because we have been facing sides from outside the PL which could've made a difference as to why we've reached the final. The Premier League is much harder than most if not all leagues meaning that everyone ups their game in that competition and when you take it into other tournaments, that high level can get you over the line.
But when you are as bad as we are in the PL, when you then come up against another English club, that is where you may have a problem and Spurs in particular have been a big problem for us this season. In three games, they've beaten us in all three scoring 8 and conceding 3.
However, as the manager says, this is a final and finals are different to other matches. The stakes are higher and the low of defeat is not just an exit from the competition but losing the final match before potentially lifting the trophy can be so deflating. And in this season of all seasons, the stakes are even higher still, for both clubs.
I also like the fact that he referenced previous campaigns in which United were still not great but managed to win a trophy. This indicates that we have that pedigree when it comes to getting the job done.
We CAN do this.
Amorim has stated on many occasions that more time is needed on the training ground. It's something he's said from when he arrived at the club so to not have mid-week games could give him that time he needs to better implement his style into his players.
But he's right, we will NOT be happy should we lose next week. We are all banking on lifting the trophy to salvage the season similar to the FA Cup triumph last year. It would sort of cover up for where we end up in the league because at least we would've won a European trophy and play in the Champions League, right?
That pressure will no doubt be there from the start of the 25/26 campaign. Without winning the EL, potentially finishing as low as 17th and no mid-week football, would almost demand that he and his players go for the bloody title!
That is overdoing it a little but we will expect that with that extra time and not giving us anything from the previous season, 25/26 will almost have to be extraordinary.
Ange Postecoglou will face Ruben Amorim for the third time this season in the Europa League final | Ange Postecoglou: Creator: Ryan Pierse | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Attacking Football
Ruben Amorim says the key to success at Man Utd is to be playing Champions League football and wants to win Europa League | Ruben Amorim: Creator: Carl Recine | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Goal