Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted that the club continues to face significant challenges despite securing an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao to reach the Europa League final.
United took a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their semi-final at Old Trafford but were initially on the back foot, conceding first and appearing disjointed.
However, a trio of second-half substitutions shifted the momentum, with Mason Mount—one of those introduced—netting twice to help seal a 4-1 win on the night. The result sets up an all-English final against Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.
Despite the dominant scoreline, Amorim was frank about United’s ongoing issues, particularly in the Premier League, where their poor form leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone.
If West Ham defeat them at Old Trafford on Sunday and Tottenham avoid defeat against Crystal Palace, United could drop to 17th—just above the bottom three, though their top-flight status is mathematically safe.
“You can still see the problems,” Amorim said. “Even in matches like this, where we win clearly, the weaknesses are visible. There’s still a great deal we need to improve.”
Amorim dismissed the idea of prioritising player rest entirely ahead of the final, insisting United must remain competitive in their remaining league fixtures, which he views as opportunities to sharpen the team.
The United boss acknowledged that balancing focus between domestic and European competition has been difficult.
He cited the recent 4-3 league loss to Brentford as an example, suggesting some players were distracted by the looming Europa clash.
Amorim emphasised that, despite the club’s current domestic struggles, United must uphold their standards in the Premier League.
“We are still Manchester United—we must try to win,” he said. “Every game matters, not just for the final, but for what lies ahead.”
He also accepted sharp criticism from club legend Roy Keane regarding United’s league performance. “The criticism is fair. We must do better,” Amorim said. “This season hasn’t been good enough. If we can’t take the heat, we’re in the wrong profession.”
Amorim, who made eight changes for the Brentford match, reiterated that his decisions are based on what’s best for the club.
“At this point, I must think strategically. It’s not about me—it’s about the club,” he said. “And right now, the final is a top priority.”
