Manchester United have the opportunity to salvage something from their dismal season when they take on Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday
14:22, 20 May 2025
Ruben Amorim has endured a nightmare start as Manchester United boss
Ruben Amorim has endured a nightmare start as Manchester United boss(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
Rene Meulensteen has tipped a bleak future for Manchester United if they lose the Europa League final to Tottenham. And the former United coach reckons manager Ruben Amorim will be in big trouble if his side don’t return from Bilbao as winners.
Meulensteen believes there is so much on the line for United in this one game, that it could prove to be defining for Amorim. The Dutchman told Tipman Tips he believes the job is too big for the Portuguese.
He said: “There are two scenarios. If they win it then there’s more money, Champions League football, and a positive feeling that they can do something next season.
“If they don’t win, they have no European football and no extra money coming in. It would mean that they’ll be sitting with the same squad and the same manager, going into next year.
Rene Meulensteen
Rene Meulensteen was a first-team coach at United under Sir Alex Ferguson
“Take Bruno Fernandes out of that team then you are looking at a really bleak scenario there.
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“Amorim should have done better, because he’s had plenty of time now working with the players, and you question the disconnect when you constantly see these poor performances.
“Do they lack quality? Are the messages not getting across to the players? Or is it the rigid system?
“Why have Manchester United been able to turn up many times in the Europa League, but not once in the Premier League for the last few months?
“It’s because the coach lacks experience, you know, in terms of managing a club the size of Manchester United.
“When you predominantly have the same team, manager, and don’t change the system, why would it be any different next season? They’re in major trouble if they lose.”
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United have endured a disastrous Premier League campaign and languish down in 16th spot - just two places above the drop zone.
They have won just 10 of their 37 games, losing 18, with opponents Tottenham a place below them in the standings.
However, both sides have one final throw of the dice and victory in Bilbao will go some way to rescuing their season, with a place in the Champions League up for grabs.