Ruben Amorim has some huge selection decisions to make for Manchester United’s Europa League final against Tottenham.
Despite a hugely disappointing Premier League campaign, Manchester United have one opportunity to end the 2024/25 season on a high if they win the Europa League.
The winner will qualify for the Champions League and bank a £100 million jackpot. After a terrible run of form in the final weeks of the Premier League, Ruben Amorim could also do with relieving some of the pressure on his job role.
Amorim has a poor record against Tottenham having lost to Ange Postecoglou’s side twice already this season. A third defeat would put a huge dampener on United’s summer plans.
After the Chelsea defeat, Amorim confirmed United’s squad is fit for the final, meaning there are some difficult choices he must make for his starting XI.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s major Europa League final regret
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked as United manager in 2022 having never lifted a trophy in charge of the Red Devils.
However, things could have been very different if his United side won the 2021 Europa League final just a few months before his dismissal.
United lost on penalties to Villarreal, with David de Gea missing the vital spot-kick in a chaotic shootout.
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Years after the match, Solskjaer admitted a Europa League final regret regarding his team selection on the day.
Speaking to The Athletic, Solskjaer admitted: “I should have started or at least brought on Nemanja Matic against Villarreal.
“That game was for him. I didn’t choose him because I felt others deserved it.”
Ruben Amorim must avoid Europa League final mistake
Just as Sir Alex Ferguson regretted not playing Ji-Sung Park in the Champions League final, Solskjaer had regrets over his midfield selection in 2021.
Amorim cannot afford to make the same mistake on Wednesday night.
There will be plenty of midfield options for Amorim, with Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes all fit and capable of playing in the double pivot.
However, one option stands out for Wednesday. Casemiro joined United as a five-time Champions League winner having never lost a European final in his career.
Gary Neville has backed Casemiro to shine in the final, and Amorim simply cannot afford to leave the Brazilian out of the starting lineup.
READ MORE: Man Utd’s best five players on way to Europa League Final, one is injured and cannot play
Casemiro has an elite mentality and he has been integral in United’s run to the final this season.
If Amorim doesn’t pick Casemiro to face Spurs, he could live to regret it in a similar way to Solskjaer’s Matic regret.