Rúben Amorim says Manchester United’s run to the Europa League final will count for nothing if they fail to win the trophy later this month.
The under-pressure manager made the comments after his side booked their place in the final with a convincing 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford, completing a 7-1 aggregate victory.
United will face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on May 21 in what has become a make-or-break match for both struggling sides. With each team sitting near the bottom half of the Premier League table — United in 15th and Spurs just behind in 16th — lifting the Europa League trophy offers not only silverware but also a precious route into next season’s Champions League.
Amorim admitted the pressure is intense. Despite United’s strong run in Europe, their domestic form has been poor. He acknowledged the support of the fans and said the final is a chance to repay them. However, he warned that anything short of victory would render their European campaign meaningless.
Both managers are under scrutiny. Tottenham, led by Ange Postecoglou, sealed their place in the final with a 5-1 aggregate win over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Like United, Spurs see the Europa League as their last chance to salvage a difficult season.
Tottenham go into the final with a psychological edge, having already beaten United three times this season. Their victories came in the Premier League and the League Cup, with scorelines of 3-0, 1-0, and a thrilling 4-3. Amorim acknowledged those past defeats and stressed the need for focus, fitness, and finishing if United are to flip the script in the final.
The stakes are high. For both clubs, the match is not just about a trophy — it’s about pride, redemption, and European survival. Whoever lifts the trophy in Bilbao may yet turn a poor season into a memorable one. The loser, however, will likely face more questions, more pressure, and a summer of rebuilding.