Questions will be asked about Ruben Amorim’s future after Manchester United’s defeat in the Europa League final.
There was huge pressure on Ruben Amorim to win the Europa League, but his Manchester United side fell short in Bilbao.
Tottenham won 1-0 in the final, with United failing to find a response to Brennan Johnson’s goal in the first half.
Many thought experience would make the difference but Casemiro didn’t turn up and Mason Mount underperformed on the big stage.
United’s leadership has been rightly questioned this season, but both Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw spoke out after the final.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw on Ruben Amorim’s future
After being appointed as head coach in November, Ruben Amorim quickly shifted full attention to the Europa League after it became clear there was nothing left to play for domestically.
But United will now finish the season trophyless and 14th is the best the Red Devils can hope for in the Premier League.
Amorim will be under huge pressure to hit the ground running next season, but both Fernandes and Shaw insist he is the right man for the job.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Fernandes jumped to defend his manager.
“Amorim is the perfect coach for the period ahead. What happened this season doesn’t change what we think of him,” Fernandes said.
Shaw echoed his captain’s words in his own post-match interview.
“I can 100 percent say he is the right man for the job. I’ve been here a long time and I’ve had different coaches.
“Ruben, for me, I speak for myself and I can speak for all the players, is 100 percent the coach we need to get this club back to where it should be.”
Ruben Amorim is backed by Ineos despite Europa League defeat
With United and Tottenham sitting 16th and 17th respectively in the table, it is no surprise that both managers were under huge pressure heading into the final.
Fernandes reminded Amorim of the pressure he is under in the pre-match press conference, but it will ramp up massively after losing in Bilbao.
But Amorim confirmed in the San Mames stadium that he has no intentions to quit as long as Ineos believe he is the right man for the rebuild.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim’s five biggest mistakes as Man Utd lose Europa League final to Tottenham
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is backing Amorim to succeed and has no intentions of sacking the Portuguese head coach despite losing in the final.
Amorim will be given the summer transfer window to overhaul the squad and he will only be truly judged on next season’s results.