Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has said his side’s impressive run to the Europa League final will be meaningless if they fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the May 21 showdown in Bilbao.
United swept past Athletic Bilbao with a 7-1 aggregate win, sealing their place in the final after a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford in Thursday’s second leg. However, Amorim, whose team sits 15th in the Premier League, acknowledged the pressure ahead of the all-English final.
“I’m stressed already because of the final,” he told TNT Sports. “If we don’t do it, it means nothing. We’re happy to be there, but let’s see. It’s the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season.”
Tottenham, also enduring a difficult domestic campaign in 16th place, booked their spot in the final with a 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt. The Europa League offers both struggling sides a last chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Amorim admitted United’s European form has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season: “We did quite well in Europe but we are struggling in the Premier League.”
Spurs, led by manager Ange Postecoglou, have already beaten United three times this season, including a 3-0 and 1-0 double in the league and a 4-3 win in the League Cup.
“We have to have a full squad, stay in the game, have a bit of luck and be clinical,” Amorim said, aware of Tottenham’s dominance in head-to-head meetings this term.
“It’s quite similar for me and Ange. It is a tough moment and one of us is going to win. It’s going to be a big final and we will try to win.”
