Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has insisted that even a Europa League triumph this season will not “save” what has been a dismal domestic campaign—but says it could mark the beginning of a much-needed transformation at Old Trafford.
United travel to Spain on Thursday to face Athletic Club in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. Despite the significance of the fixture, Amorim was quick to temper expectations about what winning the trophy might mean in the bigger picture.
“Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” the Portuguese manager said. “We know that nothing is going to save our season, but this can be huge. Winning a trophy and also getting in the Champions League, to have European games next year, could change a lot of things in our club—even in the summer.”
Currently 14th in the Premier League with only 39 points from 34 matches, United are enduring one of their worst top-flight seasons in decades. Their best—and likely only—route back into Europe’s elite competition is through the Europa League, which guarantees a Champions League berth for the winners.
Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024 following a dismal start to the campaign, has managed to bring some stability in Europe, even if domestic form remains a concern. United pulled off a remarkable comeback in the quarter-final second leg against Lyon, scoring twice in the final minute of extra-time to clinch a 7-6 aggregate win.
But the 39-year-old manager is adamant that European success will not gloss over the deeper problems at the club.
“The Europa League will not change anything in our problems,” Amorim said. “It’s going to help us to have Champions League next year, more money to spend, but the problems are still there. We have to change the minds of our fans with consistency, good decisions, good recruitment, a good academy. This is what we need to change to take this club back to the top.”
He referred to Europa League qualification as a “shortcut” rather than a solution: “This is more of a shortcut to go to European games. Nothing more.”
In terms of team news, United will be without two key players for the trip to Bilbao. Winger Amad Diallo and centre-back Matthijs de Ligt are not yet fit to start after recovering from ankle injuries. Diallo, 22, has been out since February, while De Ligt has missed the last month.
Athletic Club, who currently sit fourth in La Liga, will also be missing an important player—top scorer Oihan Sancet—adding another twist to what is already a tightly poised semi-final.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur will face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the other semi-final. Spurs, like United, have endured a poor domestic season and currently sit 16th in the Premier League, two points below the Red Devils.
Amorim also addressed the debate around the fairness of allowing teams like United and Spurs to qualify for the Champions League via a backdoor, despite underperforming in their respective leagues.
“It’s the rules,” Amorim said. “Maybe you could say it’s not fair because the best teams should be in the Champions League. But I suspect it’s done to give value to this competition. If we have that possibility, we should try to reach it.”
With the final set to take place in Bilbao on 21 May, Amorim knows that lifting the trophy could bring short-term rewards—but his focus is clearly on a longer-term rebuild.
For now, though, the Europa League offers both a lifeline and a litmus test. If United can pull off another win against Athletic Club and go on to win the tournament, it may not erase the failings of the season—but it could be the first brick laid in the path back to European relevance.
Read also:Rashford will remain on sidelines at Man Utd ‘no matter what’ – Amorim
