There is a quiet confidence around Manchester United in the lead-up to the Europa League final against Tottenham.
While nobody is convinced by the performances or players currently on display, there is an indescribable sense of confidence when it comes to a cup final.
Ruben Amorim embodied this, telling reporters that Manchester United in a European final is different and therefore the players will turn up.
In addition, despite admitting that the game was making him feel sickly during the latest episode of the Overlap fan debate, Paul Scholes predicted United would win the game based on a 15-minute spell.
Gary Neville also admitted United would be able to step up for a one-off and win the final, which he didn’t think Spurs would be able to do.
The United legends also both agreed that Tottenham would struggle with the occasion, which is excellent news for United, but Amorim’s players still need to step up and win the league.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes wants Amad Diallo to make a difference in Europa League final
If you had to predict which two United players would be the game winners next week in the Europa League final, 90 per cent of fans would name either Amad Diallo or Bruno Fernandes.
These are United’s two main attacking threats, along with Alejandro Garnacho, but it is Amad and Fernandes who have really put the team on their backs at times this season.
More United News
Now, during an interview in preparation for the final, Fernandes has been speaking with Owen Hargreaves for TNT Sports. During the interview, Amad arrived and sat in the stands of Old Trafford nearby and clapped as the interview wrapped up, to which United’s captain turned to Hargreaves with a message.
“I hope he can do something in the final for us”, Fernandes admitted.
If United are to lift the trophy, there is a good chance that it will involve either Fernandes or Amad in the goal, with the pair making up two of the Red Devils’ top three goal contributors.
Manchester United top goal contributions 2024/25
Rank Player Goals Assists Combined
1 Bruno Fernandes 19 18 37
2 Alejandro Garnacho 11 12 23
3 Amad Diallo 10 8 18
This, however, only proves the importance of Fernandes, and he will be hoping Amad has some magic moments to help out in the fight against Spurs.
Bruno Fernandes wants Manchester United talents to step up
As solid as Amad and Garnacho, lately, have been, it is undeniable that Fernandes is far and away the star of the team. However, turning 31 in September, the club cannot expect him to continue at these levels.
Now, speaking with CBS Sports, Fernandes has admitted that he hopes next season the player of the year talk will be dominated by Amad and Garnacho.
“The main thing I want… and I was even joking with Josh [Zirkzee] the other day, we were talking about the awards and they were saying like, ‘oh, who’s gonna win the award of Player of the Season?’, they were kind of putting a joke.
“And I said that I hope next year I am not even involved in the name – and do the same season as I did this year, and not be involved in the name of winning that trophy.
“Because that will mean you step up, Amad will step up, Garnacho will step up, Rasmus will step up… if they start scoring goals, start doing assists, start running backwards and tackling, they will be the ones having attention and not me, and I will be the most happy person in the world.
“I’m there to help my teammates get the best out of them, and that’s all I want to do because I know as soon as I can get the best out of them, my team will be much better.”
This should also confirm that Fernandes sees himself at United next season, amid links with Al-Hilal.