Man Utd will face Tottenham this weekend for the first time since suffering defeat in the Europa League final.
Ruben Amorim after the Europa League final.(Image: 2025 UEFA)
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"We are more confident," said Ruben Amorim on Thursday about Manchester United's progress.
Amorim was asked whether United have improved since the Europa League final. "We manage better the moments of the game," he said. "But if you remember that game, they had that shot on the goal and won the game. I expect a different game. We can play better, but also have a little bit of luck to win."
United will face Tottenham on Saturday for the first time since the Europa League final in Bilbao and they will visit London having gone undefeated in four matches, winning three of those games.
Amorim was bullish about United's chances of gaining revenge at his pre-match press conference, and the mood around the club has shifted after a string of superb results in October.
Only four players who started against Tottenham at the San Mames Stadium - Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Amad - are practically guaranteed starters this weekend.
Amorim discussed "confidence" when explaining why United have become a better team since the final, but acquiring the right personnel in the summer was the most decisive factor.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have been transformational signings. They arrived with Premier League experience, so were relatively low-risk investments, and have hit the ground running this season.
Amorim made further big decisions at both ends of the pitch which have been just as important, shipping out Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana to Italy and Turkey respectively.
The decision to axe Hojlund was slightly harsh. He wanted to stay and fight for his place - and would have benefited from playing as the back-up striker this season - but Amorim had seen enough.
Hojlund did not score enough goals last season and paid the price. United looked toothless with Hojlund up front in the Europa League final and signing a new striker was a non-negotiable.
Hojlund during the Europa League final in May.
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Benjamin Sesko arrived with a similar profile to Hojlund, given his age and lack of experience in the Premier League, and he looks to be gradually finding his feet in Manchester after a slow start at the club.
Gary Neville said Sesko was "miles off it" after the Nottingham Forest draw. Neville has copped flak for his comment, but Sesko would concede he would like to have more than two goals to his name by this point in the season.
Sesko has huge potential and can become a 20-goal-per-season forward. The decision to sign him from RB Leipzig should pay off in eventually, although United fans may have to be patient.
That is why Senne Lammens' performances have been so impressive. Every young foreign player must be given time to adapt to the Premier League, but Lammens has made a seamless transition.
Amorim delayed Lammens' debut and finally played him against Sunderland last month. The "are you Schmeichel in disguise?" chant was enough to tell you how he performed that day.
Lammens looks remarkably confident and assured for a 23-year-old playing in one of the most difficult positions at the most scrutinised club in the country, but it becomes obvious when he speaks why he has made such an impact - he is laid back, confident and intelligent.
"I think you just try to be like yourself, don't really overthink it, it's just a game, to be honest, at the end of the day," said Lammens after the Liverpool victory. He celebrated by having dinner with a close friend.
The Belgian has been viewed as a huge upgrade on Onana after just four appearances. He oozes confidence, whereas Onana was error-prone and made his teammates second-guess themselves.
The decisions from Amorim to freshen up the top and bottom of the team should both pay off, but the Lammens decision has immediately paid off, while Sesko is a work in progress.
That does not mean Lammens cannot improve or that Sesko has not been a good signing. Lammens will inevitably make mistakes and Sesko has looked sharp, he just needs a few more goals to his name.
United spent £215million in the summer transfer window (excluding add-ons) and the recruitment looks good.
United have not been able to say that about many transfer windows across the last decade.