Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted winning the Europa League will not save the season, but it could be a turning point for the club.
United have been struggling in the Premier League, sitting 14th in the Premier League with just 39 points from 34 games, but they could still secure Champions League football if they win the Europa League.
“Everyone knows it’s important for our season. We know it’s not going to save everything this season, but winning it changes a lot of things,” Amorim said ahead of Thursday’s semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao.
“To win it, to be in the Champions League and to be in Europe next year — it could change the whole summer for the club.”
United reached the semi-finals in dramatic fashion after scoring twice late on in extra time to beat Lyon 5-4 in the second leg to win 7-6 on aggregate. Their European form has been in
stark contrast to their Premier League form and Amorim, who has been in charge of the club since November, has been in poor form since taking over from Erik ten Hag. He admitted that even if they win the Europa League, the problems at the club will not go away.
“Winning the Europa League doesn’t solve our problems. It only gets you into the Champions League, there’s more money, but the problems at the club are still there,” said the Portuguese boss.
“What we have to change is the perception of the fans. Consistency in form, good decision-making, the right reinforcements and pushing the academy players – these are the things that will take United back to the top. Winning the Europa League is just a shortcut to European football.”
In the other semi-final, โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันที Tottenham Hotspur will face Norway’s Bodo Glimt, with the final in Bilbao on May 21.
And when asked why teams that are not performing well in the league (like 14th-placed Manchester United or 16th-placed Spurs) are still in the running for the Champions League, Amorim explained: “It’s the rules.”
“Some people might think it’s unfair, because the best teams in the league should get a place in the Champions League, but I think we do it to add value to the Europa League. If we have that opportunity, we have to try to take it.”