Ruben Amorim has become just the second manager in Manchester United‘s history to reach a major European final in his first season in charge, matching his fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho‘s achievement from the 2016-17 campaign.
Mourinho guided Man United to Europa League success in 2017, with the Red Devils beating Ajax 2-0 in the final of the competition.
Amorim will now have the chance to lift major silverware with the 20-time English champions, who navigated their way through their semi-final tie against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night to set up a showdown with Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
Man United were 4-1 winners over Athletic in the second leg of their last-four tie, which gave the team a 7-1 aggregate success.
The Red Devils have had a disastrous Premier League campaign, sitting down in 15th spot in the table, but they are now just one win away from a major trophy, and a position in next season’s Champions League.
◎ José Mourinho (16/17)
◉ Ruben Amorim (24/25) 🆕
The #MUFC boss is only the second manager to reach a major European final in his first season in charge of Manchester United.
Must be a Portuguese thing. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/eGhVifBpqj
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 8, 2025
Man United will tackle Tottenham in the Europa League final
“It’s the least we can do for these fans, for all the support that they gave us in this tough season. But I’m stressed already because of the final, because if you don’t win it, in the end, it’s nothing. So, we are happy to be there. Let’s see,” Amorim told TNT Sports after the match.
“In the first half, we suffered a goal. We had some transitions and the opportunity of Alejandro Garnacho to kill the momentum of the opponents. We didn’t but I will say I was not scared but I was concerned. I’m never scared. I felt there were some situations and we had some transitions where we could score. I felt, in the second half, more optimistic.”
Amorim praised the substitutes for their impact on Thursday night, with Amad Diallo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw all playing vital roles in the success after being introduced off the bench.
“First of all is the energy. I feel that some players like Nous [Noussair Mazraoui] we can rest, but you feel that he has no energy in this moment. Then Amad give us that spark that you need to change games, and that helped us a lot, because we can change with Garna [Alejandro Garnacho]. Sometimes, we let Garna there because he’s the only one that can stretch the game,” he added.
“Mason Mount, I’m so happy for Mason Mount, he’s such a player. He works really hard, he has quality. I really like Kobbie Mainoo. Just 10 minutes, but everything he did was really good. So, sometimes you were on the bench and you change the game.
“Sometimes, the players that start the game get the other team tired. If you have good spirit in everybody, they come on the pitch and catch the opponents tired and have more time to think and more space. It’s why you need a full squad. Sometimes, you have to change some players, some characteristics and everyone has to be ready to win a game.”
© Imago
What next for Man United?
Man United’s attention will now switch back to the Premier League, preparing to welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, before facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 16.
The Red Devils will then take on Tottenham in the final of the Europa League on May 21, before finishing their 2024-25 campaign with a home fixture against Aston Villa on May 25.
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