The United boss doesn't want his side to let up in tomorrow night's 'final' against Athletic Club. MUFC have a huge 3-goal lead from the first leg but in his presser, the United boss says that given how his side have been this season, one shouldn't count their chickens before they hatch.
He was joined by Alejandro Garnacho to discuss the game at Old Trafford.
Team news is that while Matthijs De Ligt cannot play tomorrow night and on Sunday, it's not a serious issue and that youngsters Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer haven't recovered in time for this match.
Garnacho was asked about what he changed after being left out of the matchday squad for the derby with the forward saying that one has to work hard to even make the squad.
Ruben Amorim says that United "need the top players" when discussing Bruno Fernandes after the MUFC skipper was linked to Al-Hilal over the last 24 hours. Amorim wants to keep players such as Bruno who he feels is "one of the top players in the world."
The MUFC manager has had some brutally honest quotes during his short spell at the club so far. Garnacho was asked how those comments have gone down in the dressing room amongst the players. The 20 year old said that it's not easy when the manager and staff are replaced mid-season but that he was focused on playing as well as he can and showing to the new manager why he should be picked.
United's boss says that they "cannot control the narrative of the game" even though his side are up 3-0. While that is some margin, Amorim believes that they need to score in order to progress to the final.
However, he does admit that "we will have to suffer a little bit to go to the final." The Portuguese also acknowledges that he isn't quite sure which United team will show up as they can be quite Jeckyll and Hyde even during the match itself. He did finish off by saying that they are improving though.
Many people such as ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger have said that it's not right should either of United or Spurs win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League due to the poor seasons they've had domestically.
Amorim was asked about this and he says that this is the rules. If you win the Europa League, you go into the Champions League. If they want to change the rules, they can go ahead.
He adds that knowing that winning the Europa means you get into the Champions League is an added incentive for teams to go on and win Europe's second-tier club competition.
Athletic Club will be without their three main players of Nico Williams, Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet who are all not in the squad for tomorrow. Manager Ernesto Valverde will have to do something different with his oppositie number giving an insight into what the Spaniards can do with the different players they have indicating that even though they will be missing three key players, they are still more than capable of causing United problems and getting through with the likes of Alvaro Djalo and Unai Gomez. Amorim says that their identity will also not change.
Garnacho once more says that it is difficult for the players to adapt to a new manager's system especially in the middle of the season. He says that the manager knows the characteristics of the player and that like himself, players are versatile in this system as they play in many different positions.
United's no 17 says that it's all about "mentality" when it comes to trying to adapt to this new formation and tactics.
Final Thoughts
I honestly think that leaving Garnacho out completely for that derby was a good thing. He was constantly played despite his poor form and when he was left out, that gave him the kick up the backside that he probably needed to get back into gear.
Players can get complacent when they are in the team all the time and do sometimes need to be left out to show that they aren't 'the bees' knees'. It was also a show from Amorim that he's the boss and if you step out of line even a little, you will be punished.
Those strong quotes by Amorim is the stuff I like to hear: brutal honesty. I find it refreshing and for those players, it was an opportunity to see whether it would make or break them.
This would also give us another way to view which players should be at United and who should be moved on because we need players who aren't just quality but who also have strong mindsets. If they said they'll prove the manager wrong and did so, then they'll be fine. Those who didn't need to be shown the door.
I want us to go into this match thinking that it's 0-0, not 3-0. If we play it as if it is an absolute must win, then I believe that we will get the job done. If we play it like we're 3-0 up, then I will shit myself a little as even the manager doesn't know which team will show up.
This is a problem we've had for a while not just under Amorim in that like he says, we can be brilliant in a match but should something go against us, we can crumble. This is why I say we need more players with strong mentalities as well as quality as a footballer. Lyon is a good example of how we can just fall.
That is why I'm not saying as some are that we are in the final.
I do however, agree that we are improving as I can see that the team are getting to grips with the system and style, albeit at a snail's pace. We are also not getting hammered too often even if we do concede 4 goals and lose.
There will definitely be moments where Bilbao are on top and may even be close to getting back into the tie but I do believe in this United side that even with all our inconsistencies and issues, we do have a goal or 2 in us which should be enough to see us through.
I don't know why this is all of a sudden a problem. I know that us and Spurs are shit in the league but look to be heading into the final of the Europa.
But cup competitions are different to the league. This is part of what it's all about. Anyone can win it and that's the beauty. I'm not sure when league form came into things when it comes to other competitions.
It's also not our fault that other teams can't beat crap Premier League sides.
And, with all due respect to Bodo/Glimt and the Norwegian league, should the Norwegians make it to the final, will they have something to say then? Where would Bodo finish in the Premier League? Does this mean it won't be right if they lift the trophy or will it be one of those success stories?
These are the rules. We didn't set them. They have a problem with it, take it up with UEFA guys.
It seems that it's only a problem because it's United and Spurs. I want us to win it more now because of this.
Ruben Amorim sees second leg against Athletic Club as a 'final' | Ruben Amorim: Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)