There’s always plenty to play for in a European final, but rarely was there so much to lose for the runner-up.
Manchester United faced Tottenham in this year’s UEFA Europa League title match on Wednesday in Bilbao, with both sides terrified of what would happen if they lost. In the end, it was Spurs who got over the line.
That stark contrast between victory and defeat was on full display. A win in Spain saw Spurs qualify for next season’s Champions League competition and enjoy a big financial windfall, mitigating their wretched league season. United’s loss failed to paper over their dismal 16th-place standing in the Premier League table, and will leave many wondering how long it will be until they can challenge for honours again.
At the heart of the conversation is head coach Ruben Amorim, who joined in early November to replace the departed Erik ten Hag but has failed to steady the ship. Instead, the Red Devils threw all their eggs in the Europa League basket and still came up short.
Now, there could potentially be consequences for all involved, including the manager who has been outspoken about how rocky the boat has been throughout his short time in charge.
Will Man United sack Ruben Amorim?
Heading into the Europa League final, all signs pointed towards Ruben Amorim being Manchester United’s manager when they begin next season in August regardless of how the game played out. Despite the defeat, it still seems likely that this will be the case.
That’s also the view of Simon Mullock, chief football writer at the Sunday Mirror, who said before the game that the United board believed “it would be madness” to pin this season’s struggles on the manager who joined midway through the campaign.
The news that Amorim is being backed fits with the round of interviews owner Jim Ratcliffe did in March where he assured fans: “Ruben is an outstanding young manager and I think he will be [at United] for a long time.”
However, that does not accurately describe the situation around Amorim’s employment, which feels tumultuous even as he’s apparently been backed by the club hierarchy.
Could Ruben Amorim quit as Man United manager?
Even as United seem to be backing Amorim, it does still feel as if his position in charge of the club remains tenuous.
Mark Ogden of ESPN reported the day before the Europa League final that the club’s hierarchy have felt the need to reassure Amorim that he is the best man for the job.
While Ogden says “there was no formal move by Amorim to quit,” he notes that the Portuguese “had to be reassured by senior figures at the club, including CEO Omar Berrada, that he would be backed to turn the team’s fortunes around.”
He has repeatedly admitted that he feels “embarrassed” by United’s domestic form, saying recently that there was “something wrong” with the way they play in Premier League action.
Unless the Red Devils make it clear throughout the offseason that Amorim is their man, he could have a change of heart and leave the post.
