Man Utd’s Europa League Final: Will Amorim Survive a Loss to Tottenham?
Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has weighed in on the hot topic of whether Ruben Amorim should face the axe if the Red Devils fall short in the Europa League final against Tottenham. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Amorim, whose side has endured a turbulent Premier League season.
Manchester United’s recent form has been nothing short of disastrous. The team is currently winless in their last seven matches, with their latest defeat—a 2-0 loss to West Ham at Old Trafford—adding to the growing pressure on Amorim. Sitting 16th in the Premier League, the Red Devils have managed just ten wins in 36 games, with only four teams scoring fewer goals this season.
Despite their domestic struggles, Amorim’s side has found solace in the Europa League. A dominant 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals has set up a high-stakes final against Tottenham. The winner will secure a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League, but a loss could spell trouble for the Portuguese manager.
Rumors have swirled that a defeat in the final could cost Amorim his job. However, The Guardian recently reported that Manchester United’s hierarchy intends to retain him, regardless of the outcome. The club believes Amorim deserves the summer transfer window to reshape the squad and bring in players better suited to his tactical vision.
Meulensteen, who served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant, has backed this decision. In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, he stated, “You have to give Ruben another season. I’m sure he is not happy that he has not got more out of this squad in the Premier League. He keeps almost confirming that in every interview, which I find a little bit strange.”
Meulensteen added, “What people want to hear is a bit of reassurance. But if you keep saying ‘maybe I’m not the right man for the job,’ it doesn’t sound good. I don’t know why he keeps saying it. It has been an amazing run in the Europa League, and against Athletic Bilbao, they were very good over two legs. There were no problems, and it was a really confident walk into the final.”
The final against Tottenham promises to be a nail-biter. While both teams have struggled domestically, Tottenham has shown they can compete with Manchester United. Meulensteen noted, “Tottenham have definitely shown that they are capable of beating Manchester United. They haven’t been firing on all cylinders, but if they have got everybody fit outside of James Maddison and as long as they’ve got Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven fit and have stability in the backline, it’s a one-off game.”
Amorim’s future may hinge on the outcome of this match, but Meulensteen believes he will remain at the helm. “Amorim will definitely be there at the start of the season, but he has to make improvements in the first three months of the season in the Premier League,” he concluded.
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